correct sling for a holland e holland n. 4 sniper rifle

[snipershot1944]

At one time several years ago, I had a broad arrow marked US WWI sling. It came to me in a 4T transit chest. That was the only one I've seen in my 45 years of collecting.

[rayg]

At one time several years ago, I had a broad arrow marked US WWI sling. It came to me in a 4T transit chest. That was the only one I've seen in my 45 years of collecting.

Thanks David. Well I think that having two slings having been observed with the broad arrow stamp on them lends credit that they did exist with that stamp. I remember the one I saw was on a T rifle also, Ray

[andy_ita]

Thanks for the help guys. For the moment i ll use a 1918 m07 sling. And i ll take a look for a one with a broad arrow stamp

[Surpmil]

Very nice original set there Andy_ita

Looking at the photos I was reminded: what did they think they were doing fielding a scope and mount with a shiny blued finish!? This was 1944/5, not 1914. There were plenty of good textured green paints they could have used. Just a bloody nuisance for the sniper: put on cam to reduce reflection and improve camouflage, then try to take it all off and clean the scope to prevent rust, then repeat, and repeat, and repeat...

The Germans started painting scopes in WWI and this was well known to our side even then.

Sorry about the tangent.

[mike16]

Dont know anything about the rifle or origonal slings.

I have seen and owned origonal 07 slings.

I do have a repro sling. The only one I ever found at a gun show in King of prussia PA back in 09.I bought two, one was junk. the other........ Beautiful leather and metal. I have hunted hi and low for one even remotely as nice and never have found one. Most are already cracking from the acid bath. junk metal (some are plastic) or are made of some sort of camel or goat skin.

So frustrating that I went to Tandy leather corp inc, llc........to see what all is nessessarry to make just one more as nice.

It is very feasable to take back control of this small corner of the market. quality leather shooting products made in the USA. does anybody remember that far back?

[Gurn]

Beautiful rifle sir

[Seaforth72]

Don't worry about finding a P1907 U.S. leather sling with a /|\. That is the exception rather than the rule. Nice, but not necessary, and there is the risk that someone could stamp an old sling with /|\ to increase the sale price.

The most common date I have seen on original cased sniper equipments' P1907 slings is 1918 with the brass hooks. I also have one with the WWII steel hooks that came with a matched set. I would say that WWI dated sling is the norm, but as the rifles remained in service for many years, WWII slings are also acceptable.

[Seaforth72]

I agree with Warren and I believe that the chest is for the Canadian C No. 7 Mk. I .22" training rifle. I don't think the British made these, but could be mistaken. If you look on the ends, you should find a maker's mark and year (e.g. 1946) stamped into it. The holder for the cleaning brush and other cleaning heads for the cleaning rod is unique to those. They also had a small slot cut into the top of each of the hold down braces for the rifle so that the cleaning rod could be laid in as the last item before the chest was closed. If you do not see the slots, look at the side as replacement felt may have covered them. As Warren mentioned there is no swivelling brace to restrain the No. 8 MK. I scope case. You should be able to see traces of the "U" shaped wooden guards around the two fasteners on the face of the chest. As well, the web carrying handles (made from P37 rifle slings) is typical of the C No. 7 chests, whereas the No. 15 chest for the sniper equipment had leather carrying handles. A simple test, place the No. 8 Mk. I case in the bottom of the chest, on hinged long side with buckles upright (left of centre in chest, against the back wall) and see if there is room for the rifle (less sling) to sit comfortably in the cradles.

Yes, the "T" is really weird. It is huge compared to the normal "T" stamp. One reported sniper rifle has a giant "T" like this stamped into the small of the grip, aft of the scope serial number. All other markings and features seem pretty normal though. The ENGLAND stamp tells us that the rifle was sold surplus and may have gone to North America as that was a U.S. legal requirement (McKinley Tariff Act) http://www.wilkinsonfscollection.com...ariff_Act.html

[Brian Dick]

There are still excellent quality P'07 slings made right here in the USA by Turner Saddlery. Richard posts here from time to time. They are made to the exact same specification as the originals.

[can14&]

I have the same H+H T4 conversion but it is in 7.62 Nato. I bought it in the box with scope as a 303