M1 Carbine Sling Question

Hello,
I purchased an M1 carbine sling many years ago and would like to know if it might be original WW2. It has the C shaped end tabs. The fastener is marked Klikit with a six pointed star and Pull. the reverse is ridged and marked RAU FASTENER CO
PROVIDENCE, R.I. The male fastener is made of brass the buckle and tabs appear blued and made of steel. The buckle measures 1" wide by 1.3 " long. It is unmarked The webbing is dark olive green colored and is fairly thick. Any info appreciated.
Thanks! JCA
Attachment 54778Attachment 54777Attachment 54776Attachment 54775Attachment 54774Attachment 54773

I've had a couple of slings just like yours. One was in very good condition, and the other nearly worn out from use. Some say it is a repro from the 80's and others swear it's original WWII. Myself, I'm not certain. :dunno: - Bob

jca, welcome to the forum. Jim4M1's knows slings. Let's see what he has to say. To me the weave doesn't look like WWII. But, like Bob I'm not certain.
Best Regards.....Frank

JCA, welcome to our forum. A pretty good group of guys here, and helpful. While here check out some of the past threads on topics that might interest you. Also we have a search feature in the tool bar that might help. Do you have a carbine to go with that sling?
I hope you enjoy the forum.

I saw those slings for the first time at a show in 1983. They were all mint condition. Everyone said at the time they were repo slings. They sold for a couple dollars each. At that time slings with the full sized C clips unpainted were still abundant. Eight to Ten dollars in near to mint.
My personal opinion is that they are an aftermarket product.

Thanks Guys!
Appreciate the info!
Anybody happen to have a correct c-tip sling for a 1-44 dated carbine #4916xxx in decent shape they want to part with?

Look carefully at the sling material. Notice that there is a distinct edge line (one row in) on each side. This is referred to as a selvidged edge. Original WWII slings did not have a selvidge edge. That is one of the biggest giveaways for repro slings.

Hi,
Thanks for the latest info. I noticed that edge on each side but had no idea whether it was right or not or what it would be called. I think I bought this sling around 1989. I was racking my brain trying to remember if it was stated repro or not. I think it was. Anyway, I can't remember. Its too bad its a repro because it is nicely constructed! It is interesting that they would use what seem to be correct fasteners for these as well. I definitely learned a lot today. Thanks Again Guys!

Here's what they called 'olive drab' in the latter part of WWII - sort of blend of khaki and OD. Note the long-eared unfinished end tip.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...Bandmark-1.jpg

Also note the barrel band.....Frank

Nice Inland, Inland.

Thanks; the picture was taken originally to show the band on the 1-44 barrel. I didn't have a good picture of the sling, so I used that one. Unfortunately the 4927xxx Inland has been updated with late parts, but happily they didn't put the Type III band on it.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9/Action-1.jpg

This is an example of the early khaki sling, on a 298,xxx Inland.Attachment 54817

Here's something similar that's been discussed before. It has been on my 5.6 Win since I got it in 1969. It also has an SW top marked oiler.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...14b36f41-1.jpg

Here's pics of two more that are very similar. :dunno: - Bob

Glad to meet you jca. Unfortunately, it is for sure a repro from the early 80's. Inland44 is completely correct about the shape and finis of the incorrect 'tips'. The color and weave with the bolstered edge is also indicative of the slings that were being sold in the 80's.

Would really like to see you carbine.

Regards,
~ Harlan

Here are 25, All look a little different to me if stared at long enough.

Cheers,
Charlie-Painter777




https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...e777e654-1.jpg


https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...64b789c5-1.jpg




https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC07799-1.jpg

Here's one to check out on eBay. Wish the pictures were better. Note the appearance of the edging. - Bob

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121401350865...:B:WNA:US:3160

Quote:

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Originally Posted by USGI

Here's pics of two more that are very similar. :dunno: - Bob

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Reviving a long dead thread to ask a question of USGI. Did you ever find out anything regarding the darker of these two slings? the one with the bright green threads woven in. I have one identical to yours and am trying to ID.

Both of them are gone now, but near as I could tell they were identical when new. Most consider them as repros from the 80's, but that older appearing one looked like it had been through at least a couple wars when I got it. It eventually broke in two and I sewed it back together with OD thread using the wife's sewing machine and a "button hole stitch" pattern. I sold it to a collector that thought it was a military repair and felt it was WWII. I told him I'd repaired it myself and most thought to be a repro. - Bob

Attachment 100337Attachment 100336Attachment 100335

Thanks for the update. I have the newer looking one. It's got some real bright green threads in it and the KLICKIT lettering is kind of muddy looking. 99.9% sure it's a repro. but, it works as intended, so I just keep it on the gun I got it on.

Nothing wrong with a repop as long as it is being used for its utility value. My problem was with the guys who tried to pass them off as the originals. Right now my Inland has a repro rear sight and a repro sling. I haven't had time to hunt up originals for it yet, but wanted it to at least look a bit closer to original. I'd never try to sell it without telling the prospective buyer that those parts were reproductions.