Saddle ring

A saddle ring is a metal ring attached to the receiver of a carbine, rifle, or shotgun allowing it to be tied to a saddle or used with a specialized sling.{{Cite web |url=http://www.midwayusa.com/guntecdictionary.exe/showterm?TermID=4194 |title=GunTec Dictionary definition of "saddle ring" |publisher=Midway USA |accessdate=2007-09-07 |archive-date=2007-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927034037/http://www.midwayusa.com/guntecdictionary.exe/showterm?TermID=4194 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.rollanet.org/~stacyw/us_1885_carbine_sling.htm |title= US 1885 Carbine Sling |accessdate=2007-09-07}}

Saddle rings could be attached directly to the firearm, or in some cases to a saddle ring bar, which allowed the saddle ring to slide along the action, such as on the British Enfield P1856, a short cavalry version of the Pattern 1853 Enfield used in the American Civil War.{{Cite web|url=http://aotw.org/weapons.php?weapon_id=23 |title=Pattern 1856 Enfield Carbine |accessdate=2007-09-07}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.midwayusa.com/guntecdictionary.exe/showterm?TermID=4195 |title=GunTec Dictionary definition of "saddle ring bar" |publisher=Midway USA |accessdate=2007-09-07 |archive-date=2007-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927034053/http://www.midwayusa.com/guntecdictionary.exe/showterm?TermID=4195 |url-status=dead }}

Virtually every carbine-sized weapon used in the Civil War was equipped with a saddle ring and/or saddle ring/bar. Saddle rings are most commonly found on lever-action rifles and other firearms of the late 19th and early 20th centuries that were suitable for use on horseback. The muzzle of the rifle was placed in a (carbine socket or boot) scabbard.

The idea behind using the saddle ring, and its carbine sling, is to allow the mounted soldier to never be separated from his weapon.