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Could someone tell me what would be the correct sling for an early SC 1903a3 in the 3648XXX SN range? Would it be the leather 1907 sling or possibly the M1923 sling? I know that some Remington 1903's were originally issued with the 1923 sling and I have one that not currently on a rifle.
WW2 weapons normally were issued with the leather M1907 sling... however, the web sling was also present after 1943. So the answer is... if it were mine and especially if I were going to shoot it I'd opt for the leather M1907. However, the 1" cotton web sling in tan or OD would also be correct IMHO.
Your SC fall in the early part of 1943. So as Mike stated either sling would be correct. If you have an origianl M1907 leather sling I would not use it for shooting. Get an after market leather sling such as Turners. If you break the original to replace it is costly.
M1903s were not issued with any sling. If the rifle was issued to troops, the unit would have issued whatever sling they had in stock at the time. Only USGI exception to this is the M-1 Carbine, which did ship with a sling.Quote:
Originally Posted by John Hancock
I can't say enough good stuff about the seconds from Turner Saddlery for value. I've bought several and the defects, if at all detectable, are insignificant.Quote:
Originally Posted by mark1
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I am always amuzed when somebody asks for a "Correct" item and there is an endless list of recommendations to purchase something recently made.
I had no idea that the current made leather slings were issued during WWII.
It depends on the purpose of the sling (and rifle). If the rifle is a collectible and will rarely, if ever, be fired, I'm in complete agreement with Bill. Although I have one of the Turner "second" slings and I think it is an excellent looking and functioning sling, it sticks out like a sore thumb on a 65-100-year old rifle.
If, on the other hand, you intend to use the rifle for frequent shooting and the rifle is a mixmaster, I see nothing wrong with a Turner-type sling.
There is nothing wrong with purchasing/using new made products. But when somebody asks for something connected to the history of an item, it shows how little importance the historical connection is in the minds of many today.
I constantly see it with Carbine items like magazines and slings. To see it in the 03 series of rifles is shocking.
Very sad.
i agree with Bill.
most if not all slings issued to any WW2 rifle were from a box or pile, dates didnt matter makers didnt matter, if it fit the rifle, and worked well, it was issued.
not uncommon to have had a 1917 dated sling issued to a troop for his 43 dated Garand, same for holsters..web gear, ect.
not many A3,s saw combat use, most were used by support troops, in rear with gear so to speak.
you will see Black troops with A3,s they did most if not all of the supply hauling, a fellow poster was sharing some great pictures over the last couple months, one showed a Black troop standing tall and proud with his A3 at his side.
if i remember right, it had a web type sling issued for use with the rifle.
all the DCM sales A3,s in the box iv owned or seen, have had a web sling in the box.
personally i like the leather adjustable slings, and dont care if the rifle was issued that way or not.
my M40 has a nice 68 dated sling, not original to the rifle, but looks great.
likely it had a web sling as well, iv seen combat pics of M40,s with both.
i have little experiance with Turner slings, i just worked on a customers Garand with a nice black Turner sling, seemed a bit stiff, but some rubbing and the right leather goop will cure that.
all the slings i have are GI, from 1909 to 1986..all leather adjustable.
if i have a rifle for sale, you can bet it will have a green web sling.
I don't think anything looks better on a nice M1903, M1917 or M1 Garand than an aged leather sling. On the other hand, when I go to the range, I usually use one of those chapie M14-type web slings because I hate to mess with the adjustments on a M1907.
My mother always said I lacked patience! :lol:
and then you have the good ol 1927 sling.......