Slings for flintlock

A rifle sling comes in real handy if you spend a lot of time in the woods. One will free your hands for a light and staff in the pitch dark, and one can be a godsend when dragging out a deer. I bought one of these from October Country 20 or so years ago. I walk in with my rifle slung and remove the sling when I'm on stand or still hunting. I seldom have it on a rifle in daylight but it's always in my pouch.
http://www.octobercountry.com/universal-sling/

Only person I’m out to make happy while hunting is me. Both my Jäger rifles have slings, as well as my fusils. ( FDC and a smoothrifle) I find them quit convienent. Mine are not noisy in the least. One I twined from hemp and jute. One I fabricated from a Wilde woven strap ( complete with a horn buckle of my own mfg. and the others are simple leather strap. I really prefer simple and unadorned in all my accoutrements).

Don't have one on my longrifle but I bought a used TC Hawken that came with the TC studs for QD swivels. Don't hunt with it on the rifle but carry a cheap nylon sling with me and find it useful after a deer is down for carrying the rifle while dragging.

In answering another thread, I found this painting from 1832 of Charles Alexandre Lesueur fo New Harmony, Indiana by Karl Bodmer. I can't tell is he is using a flint lock, but he certainly has a sling.

I don't have any pictures to back up my opinion, but I would think having a rifle on a sling if you needed both hands for a chore would be way preferable to have it on the ground or leaning against something. I don't know how many here are farm boys here, but harnessing a horse, milking a cow, pitching hay, even driving a nail would be extremely difficult with one hand. If I perceived a threat, the first thing I would likely do is jump for cover. Stopping to pick up a weapon might be time I don't have. I am sure that practicality ruled in most cases.

I have a Southern Mountain rifle that will be getting a sling added to it soon. The rifle came with sling swivels front and back...I find it easier to drag a deer out with the rifle slung across my back, then having to go back and get the rifle or take the rifle to my truck.

I love slings, I have them on most of my guns