Off Topic.

For a short time. Sorry, but I trust you guys. Don't know anyone else, maybe you can refer me to the Aces. Two questions ....
1. When were leather slings stopped being used on Garands ?
2. Does this Colt look O.K. (772). Been looking for a nice one for a long time but have to admit I don't know much about them. S/N C7267, estimate 1915 manufacture date. David told me a while back that the colour on these can indicate plenty !
Many thanks, and sorry for the interruption Carbine guys. Mike. Attachment 24376

The Colt 1911 is a commercial model as indicated by the "C" prefix. They are a very well polished blue, the barrel and small parts have a different hue of blue if original. Need more pictures to say anything for sure on the example pictured. But it looks good so far, if a little blotchy on the finish.

Hey Mikey,

They used the leather slings throughout WWII and began producing web slings sometime in 1943. Most period Garands I've seen still had leather slings on them though in WWII. By coincidence there's a thread about some of the earliest web slings from today on the Garand forum -

WW2 web sling

I don't know if there was a certain cutoff when they stopped issuing leather slings. I think they used them until they ran out. I've had a couple of them with the MRT stamp from the 50's.

(PS - what the heck are you doing over here on the 1911 forum? Did you ask permission from Bill H. to leave the carbine forum?) :lol:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...1/07/127-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...1/07/219-1.jpg

Only the early Model 1911 and Government Model had the very high polish "oil finish" and peacock blue small parts. The Model 1911 changed at No.2400, and the Government Model changed between C4500 and C5500, with the fire blue small parts being discontinued before C4500. Your Government Model looks original, if a little worn.

I have a Model 1907 sling that is die stamped (not ink stamped) MRT 3-64.