What's a correct sling for a No.5 carbine?

[gew8805]

#5MK1, I think I had a couple of the slings you are referring to. They were flat rather than having the ribs and were green in color but were made of a slightly narrower and thinner nylon or some sort of synthetic material. The brass hardware was almost identical to the standard "Sling, rifle, web, G.S. (Mark I) (second issue)" but slightly narrower to fit the sling. I purchased these slings directly from Century Arms International back in the early '90s. They cost $1 as opposed to the $2 price of the standard British slings. The biggest problem with them was that they would not stay adjusted to a certain length: in other words, if you tried to carry a rifle with the sling over your shoulder, the brass fittings would allow the sling to slide to a longer length and would not stop until they hit the brass hardware. Yes, they looked good but for use they were totally crap.

[#5MK1]

#5MK1, I think I had a couple of the slings you are referring to. They were flat rather than having the ribs and were green in color but were made of a slightly narrower and thinner nylon or some sort of synthetic material. The brass hardware was almost identical to the standard "Sling, rifle, web, G.S. (Mark I) (second issue)" but slightly narrower to fit the sling. I purchased these slings directly from Century Arms International back in the early '90s. They cost $1 as opposed to the $2 price of the standard British slings. The biggest problem with them was that they would not stay adjusted to a certain length: in other words, if you tried to carry a rifle with the sling over your shoulder, the brass fittings would allow the sling to slide to a longer length and would not stop until they hit the brass hardware. Yes, they looked good but for use they were totally crap.

Yes, the description is right.

I ony used those slings for show.

When I take my #5MK1 coyote hunting, I install a wide leather modern type sling, padded for comfort and easy to use.

However, the sliding problem problem and not staying adjusted on the surplus web slings was easily corrected by tweaking the brass prongs on the end of the sling.

Even with that fix, I would not use any military sling for personal use. They just aren't comfortable.

Military slings are OK for show, but they are not as user friendly as a GOOD commercial sling.

I think most of the guys using #5MK1s for truck guns out west here on ranches, use a commercial sling for ease and comfort.

But, the green web slintgs mentioned seemed to look the best on #5MK1s. I don't think they were made for the rifle, and we never found out what rifle they were for.

[krinko]

Would these be the Mystery Slings?
Two minor varieties with identical brass ends, one with unribbed web edge, one with a slight rib.
One sling seems to be marked "ABL" over "??" over "1954" and another "GIE" over "AL" over "1954"---these are the two with the slight ribbing. The thinnest type I have never found marked. I think the end tabs tie these two types to the same source, by the way.

So, Belgian?





-----krinko

[Peter Laidler]

ABL is definately Belgian and they still exist to this day, still bidding for UK MoD webbing contracts. Nylon is a bit of a no-no currently as it burns ans sticks

[gew8805]

ABL is definately Belgian and they still exist to this day, still bidding for UK MoD webbing contracts. Nylon is a bit of a no-no currently as it burns ans sticks

Peter, do you have any idea of the origin of the narrower nylon slings? Century had many of them for sale but since they were so dissimilar to the correct English sling and wouldn't hold adjustment I only bought the two, site unseen. I had no use for more since the General Service Sling was easily available at the time. I remember that the polyester and nylon uniforms and webbing fell out of favor VERY quickly after fire related experiences during the war in the Falklands.

#5MK1, as a side note, I personally think that the Mills slings is the most comfortable and easily adjusted military sling ever made. I've carried a rifle for hours with them and have never felt any discomfort. Your mileage will, of course, vary. I did try adjusting the prongs and it worked to a point but also made the sling somewhat more difficult to adjust while still not keeping it where I wanted it to stay.

[Peter Laidler]

I can't pass any comments on the thinner sling but they definately weren't ours.., I mean British issue. I agree whole heartedly about the standard sling. It was the most versatile bit of kit ever invented. It probably came second only to the toggle rope. During military training lessons, exercises and on active service everyone carried a spare sling wrapped around his waist or tucked into his webbing somewhere. The SMG sling was another firm favourite too. There were some adverse comments coming in about the dark green nylon type material sling, isued from 1981 onwards. The predominantly nylon make up (it wasn't actually nylon as I understand it.....) caused it to slip in the buckle and that's the reason why the Bren was never issued with a long nylon type sling. There you go..............

[nzl1a1collector]

Would these be the Mystery Slings?
Two minor varieties with identical brass ends, one with unribbed web edge, one with a slight rib.
One sling seems to be marked "ABL" over "??" over "1954" and another "GIE" over "AL" over "1954"---these are the two with the slight ribbing. The thinnest type I have never found marked. I think the end tabs tie these two types to the same source, by the way.

So, Belgian?





-----krinko

The ABL slings like Peter has already mentioned are Belgium. They would have been used with the early FAL rifles, hence the 1954 date on them.

[nzl1a1collector]

Like this one? I just won this on eBay.

I think your going to be disappointed... or maybe elated with your sling........ I'm guessing when you get it you will have trouble trying to slide it through the sling swivels.

I believe you have an Indian 1A1/2A rifle sling these are wider (1/8 of an inch wider) then a normal Lee Enfield type sling.

[krinko]

"The ABL slings like Peter has already mentioned are Belgium"

And here I thought ABL was "Armee Belge/Belgische Leger", which I believe means "dry clean only".
Learn something new every day.
-----krinko

[rondog]

I think your going to be disappointed... or maybe elated with your sling........ I'm guessing when you get it you will have trouble trying to slide it through the sling swivels.

I believe you have an Indian 1A1/2A rifle sling these are wider (1/8 of an inch wider) then a normal Lee Enfield type sling.

Thanks! That's why I bought two, have a khaki one coming from another source. It probably won't work either.