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I aquired an 1898 Krag rifle and it has this sling on it. Is this the correct sling? Also, to remove it from the rifle does the end of the sling fit through this sling loop, it doesn't seem to fit through.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...09/00296-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...09/00384-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...09/00486-1.jpg
It should be an 1887 pattern sling I think. I think they only have one frog like you have shown. Of course it's brass at that time. They will come out but it's a squeeze.
Take the brass button off the other end of the sling, thats attached to the lower swivel.
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I forgot about that.
I hate to sound dumb, but I can't seem to find the fastener you speak of. Here are some pictures of the rest of the sling. Is this a 1907 type sling and what can I put on it to stop it from drying out further?
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9/001112-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...09/00297-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...09/00385-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...09/00487-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...09/00576-1.jpg
I wondered about that in the first place. It's a 1907 sling WW1 issue. Quite valuable and quite out of place on that rifle. I guess it would do until you get the right one though. Back to tight squeeze to get the hooks out of the swivels...Pecard's would be the treatment for the dryness.
dittos what jim said in both posts
Sorry, I assumed it was an 1887 sling.
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Thanks a lot fellas, I guess I should get it off the rifle and put some Pecards on it and store it.
A 1907 sling is not so out of place on a Krag rifle, the Krag was used as a training arm during WWI, used to train some notable soldiers such as Alvin York. They were still in service in the USN long after WWI, and the supply of 1887 slings were long exhausted.
You're quite right. I was thinking that very thing later. I had a 1907 sling on mine and I've seen pics of the troops entraining in 1917 with Krags and 1907 slings. But it does need refreshing...
Maybe I should put it on my four digit 03.
That would work well...be about right. It would sure look good, after treatment.
agree that would be the correct application , and a good example with a little cleaning
You'll have to post pics after refreshing, and the 1903 wouldn't hurt either.
I ordered the Pecards, when it gets here I'll treat the sling and insall it on the four digit 03.
I also checked the sling on my newly acquired 1901 Krag rifle, it's a 1907 pattern leather one that reads ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL and the year 1915 underneath it. I guess it pays to read old posts! Thanks guys.
You'll have to show us that rifle soon...
I finished cleaning up the bore, I think I got most of the copper out so it does have some shimmer to it but there's a bit of pitting here and there, hopefully it patterns on a target at 100 yards. I'll take some pictures and post them soon. It was sitting at Cabelas for a week at $679 so I jumped on it. The 100 year old sling was the icing on the cake.
The bore should be fine. Looking forward to it.
Just curious about OP's sling. Generally there's a date stamped on most of them under the contractors name, some aren't dated. I wonder if anyone can tell the general date by that contractor's name? Ray
There are some examples that the contractor from WW1 didn't make the same thing in WW2...
I never thought this sling would be this old, it's in excellent shape, should I leave this sling on or get a repro. Do you know what type of leather conditioner to use on it. Browningautorifle you've been very helpful. I should be able to take some detailed pictures this weekend.
The old slings are only good for display. I use a Brownells for shooting. It still costs me $100 landed here in Canada, but if I break it I won't weep. A WW1 contract sling, well, you couldn't help but shed a tear if you broke it. There's several and most here seem to agree Pecard's leather treatment is probably about the best. You're going to get the phone book on that question now I expect, and then you'll have to choose from the varied answers...
Did some research on a site that had a list of all the WWI contractors who made those slings. It says just underneath the 2nd keeper: B.T.& B CO. over the number 7 or 1. and the Rock Island Arsenal 1915 stamp is on the bottom. Thanks for the info.
You mean this list?
W1 manufacturers
Belber Trunk & Bag Co., Philadelphia, Pa. - Gunsling Point Parts
Chicago Belting Co., Chicago Il. - Point parts for gunsling, Loop Parts for Gunsling.
John Clark Saddlery Co., Portland Or. - Rifle Scabbards, Saddles Cav M1904
Clinton Saddlery Co., Clinton, Ia. - Pistol Holsters, Bridles, Saddles, Saddle Bags.
Duncan & Sons, Seattle, Wa. - Gunslings M1907, Brest Collars, Rifle Scabbards, Saddles M1904.
Graton & Knight Mfg. Co., Worcester, MA. - Bridles M1914, Bayonet Scabbards, Revolver Holsters M1909, Gunslings M1907, Leather.
Harrison & Gathright, Louisville, Ky. - Saddle Cav M1904. [known to have made M1907 slings]
Harpham Brothers Co., Lincoln, Ne. - Saddles M1904
Hermann Sanford Saddlery Co., Springfield, Mo. - Gunslings, Bridles M1914, Saddles Arty and Cav M1904.
Hess & Hopkins Leather Co., Rockford, Il. - Saddles Arty and Cav M1904
Hewes & Potter, Boston, Ma. - Pouches small articles, hand axe carriers, pick mattock carriers. [known to have made M1907 slings]
Henry Hotze & Son, St. Louis, Mo. - Saddles Arty and Cav M1904
F. M. Hoyt Shoe Co., Manchester, N.H. - Breech Lock Covers, Pannier Packs, Pistol Holsters, Gunslings, Canteen covers, Headstalls, Feed Bags, Helmet Linings.
Kerr Adjustable Strap Co., New York, N.Y. - Gunslings. [Web]
Edward R. Ladew Co., Glen Cove, N.Y. - Brest Collars, Saddles Arty and Cav M1904, Headstalls, Gun Slings, Bridles M1909, Rifle Scabbards.
George Lawrence Co., Portland, Or. - Saddles Arty and Cav M1904, Gun Slings, Rifle Scabbards.
Lichtenberger-Ferguson Co., Los Angles, Ca. - Saddle Cav M1904, Rifle Scabbards, Gun slings.
Plant Brothers & Co., Manchester, N.H.- Bridles M1909, Suspenders for haversack, Water Buckets, Gunslings for U. S. Rifle M1917, Magazine Bandoleers, Pistol Belts, Ration Bags, Cartridge Belts, Feed Bags, Shovel Carriers, Pouches for First Aid, Haversacks.
Rice-Soren Saddlery Co., Muskegon, Mi. - Saddles arty and cav M1904. [known to have made M1907 slings]
Scheffer & Rossum Co., St. Paul, Mn. - Bridles M1909, Mule Saddles M1913, Pistol Holsters, Saddles Arty and Cav M1904.
Westboro Trunk & Bag Co., Westboro, Ma. - Carrying cases. [known to have made M1907 slings]
Smith Worthington Co., Hartford, Ct. - Saddles Cav M1904, Bridles M1909, Gunslings.
Western Mfg. Co., San Francisco, Ca. - Gunslings M1907.
Harvey Wheeler, Conco
Wow, most of theirs were abbreviated. Cool.
Yours would be the first one I think. You can now investigate and find out who they were... Here's the rest, pretty impressive. Belber - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Yes, definitely the first one and those brass keepers and hooks are very impressive, looking at the condition of the rifle and sling it must've been hanging on a wall for quite awhile. I took it to the range this morning and it functioned fine. At 50 yards it grouped a couple inches right of center but it almost costs $2 a shot! I try benchresting it at 100 next time.
As Jim said, and the 03 also, RayQuote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
Are you saying that these stamps are on both leather lengths/sections of the sling, in that one stamp is on the long leather sling length and one on the short section or are they on both on only one section? If on both, it means the leather sections may be from two different slings.Quote:
Originally Posted by surplusaddict
I have to admit that I was getting confused between your posts and the OP's. Ray
I have seen slings that had both parts marked and also just the short piece which is more common. If they are marked by two different makers then...two different makers. Not unusual to have them put together when one part breaks. That could have happened anywhere along it's hundred year journey.
I took a few pictures of the sling but I can't seem to copy them to the post. Does anyone know easier way than using photobucket.
Just take the pics and download them to your desktop. Then follow the tutorial to attach them to the posts...