v. [UN-2 3, 4 b.] trans. To detach from a sling; to free from being slung or suspended.
(a) 1630. Capt. J. Smith, True Trav., xx. 40. Many of them were got to the top to unsling the maine saile.
1783. in Naval Chron. (1802), VIII. 364. [We] unslung our lower yards.
1815. Burney, Falconer’s Marine Dict., 603/2. To unsling is to take off the slings from boats, butts, buoys, yards, etc.
1839. F. A. Griffiths, Artill. Man., 187. [No.] 7 … slings, and unslings the gun, and lashes it to the pry pole.
(b) 1688. Holme, Armoury, III. xix. (Roxb.), 153/1. Vnsling your musket.
1798. Naval Chron., XXV. 200. An Arab … unslung his carbine.
1818. Scott, Rob Roy, xxx. He … commanded his soldiers to unsling their firelocks.
1838. G. P. R. James, Robber, iii. Lord Harold unslung his sword, and gave it to one of the servants.
1865. Visct. Milton & W. B. Cheadle, N.-W. Passage by Land, vii. 101. He unslings his pack, and sets to work to construct a … wooden trap.
