Gun Slinger!!

[Newfloridian]

I have an ancestor whose occupation is recorded in the 1901 census as 'gun slinger'. He lived in Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne and was presumably employed at the Armstrong Mitchell Elswick Engineering works (the forerunner of Vickers Armstrong). I do realise that the firm was involved in all manner of heavy engineering including providing artillery for the British Army. However, what would a gun slinger do?

Alan

[stanmapstone]

Slinger; aka crane signalman, crane slinger, hanger-on; fastens wire or rope sling round biolers, machinery, heavy articles or loads; attaches sling to hook on crane rope; gives directions to crane driver, by signalling with arm for lifting and transporting goods as required; unhooks sling; sometimes further designated. "A Dictionary of Occupational Terms"

This has been also been asked before see http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=399215.0
Stan

[Newfloridian]

Hi Stan

Thanks. I'd come across a number of different slingers (using the generic description of someone who moved heavy materials around with rope, chains etc) - and several of them employed at the Elswick Works. However, I hadn't actually seen someone specialising as a 'gun slinger' before. Presumably he moved the barrels of canon and other armaments around

Cheers Alan

[joboy]

He could be attaching rifle slings;
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=lee+enfield+Rifle+Slings&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=lee+enfield+rifle+slings&sc=0-12&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=0F55D3E95B3A276E7F7B627029403AD72DB6D94E&selectedIndex=8
Joe

[Newfloridian]

Nice to speak again, Joboy and thanks for the alternative thought!

I have a feeling that 'my' people were more likely to be 'slinging' about the barrels of artillery or naval ships. I'm hazy here but I think the Engineering works on the Tyne were involved with the production of the Vickers machine gun for WW1 but in the 1890s the Lee Enfield originated outside London.

Alan

[stanmapstone]

There is a photograph of the heavy gun machine shop at http://www.twmuseums.org.uk/engage/blog/exciting-new-addition-to-the-vickers-armstrong-collection/

Stan

[Newfloridian]

Excellent resource. Looks just the place where 'mine' would have worked.

Many thanks

Alan