Any chance this 1907 sling is legit?

[smac61]

Came with a recent acquisition. No stampings I can read but the HOCH, B.A. stencil...

Attachment 55884Attachment 55885Attachment 55886

Information

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[rayg]

The sling looks good to me. The stamp is probably the last name and first and middle initials of a past owner of the sling. Ray

[RT Ellis]

Examine the sling leather for any impressed markings, usually found near the hooks. This would be the manufacturers marking that usually included the year of manufacture, and inspector's initials. An image of how the leather sliding loops were assembled would be helpful. Military specifications called for the sliding loops to be sewn. Many of the civilian manufactured slings the loops were assembled with metal clips rather than sewn. Civilian slings were generally thinner leather, and the hooks were usually stamped from sheet metal.

From the images you provided the sling does appear to be to military specifications and probably manufactured on a government contract. The brass hooks, assembled to the leather with brass rivets, and appearance of the leather suggest manufacture by a contractor in 1917-18. However the brass parts of rifle slings produced during WWI were "bronzed" (darkened) to reduce reflection and improve concealment. The printed name marking on the sling is uncommon, and may have been applied by a service member or by a civilian. The font style of the marking, and initials followed by the full last name, or as is the case of this marking last name followed by initials, was common practice in the U.S. Marine Corps from before WWI into the early 1940s. Perhaps a member here with access to one of the ancestry programs can verify the name as a service member, branch, and years of service.

[browningautorifle]

I agree the sling looks good, early with brass frogs. Date and manufacture may be all but erased by time and wear and the stamp is as stated, probably owner's name.