Sling

[shooter88]

Hello all. I am trying to find a sling for my Krag. I am looking for an 1887. I know of Turner Saddlery and have heard good things about them, but their prices are steep for a reproduction as well as kind of a long wait time. Who else makes a good sling that is accurate to how the orginal slings were?

Information

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[butlersrangers]

'shooter88': Your intended use is important.

S&S Firearms, Glendale, N.Y., is a source for reproduction slings. Their catalog is viewable online. (just google search).

Some of the model 1887 slings are 72" long, which works for a 'Trapdoor' Springfield, but, proves too long for a Krag and cannot be fully tensioned. A sling 66 1/2" long works correctly for the Krag. (BTW - These slings, original and reproduction, are often made by stitching together two pieces of leather, which is correct, but, makes for a bulky sling).

In 1903, a Krag sling was adopted that was 48" long. This was lighter and less bulky and also saw use on early 1903 Springfields.

In the U.S., prior to about 1903, the sling was pretty much a 'carry strap'. It slowly evolved as an aid to shooting, kind of starting with the 'Back Position'. Col. Townsend Whelen was a strong proponent of the rifle sling as a shooting aid and appears to have influenced the design of the model 1907 sling.

Photo showing 1903 National Match team 'Captained' by Whelen. (Note unconventional sling arrangements, with some men attaching sling to 'stacking-swivel' to utilize 66 1/2" sling for shooting).

Attachment 67083

[butlersrangers]

I believe these WW1 U.S. Engineers in Britain have the 48" Krag slings.

Attachment 67087

[shooter88]

Butlersrangers, thank you very much for the helpful information.

I don't really have an intended use other than to add the correct accessories that these rifles had when they were in service. I don't mind reproductions as long as they are made within all of the original specs, materials, etc. To me it is part of the fun collecting surplus military rifles.

With that being said though, I do like the clean look of a tight sling that is not in use at the moment. I don't particularly care for the loose droopy look and since some of the 1887's were too long, I think I'm gonna go with the 1903 style.

I know that some companies are better than others when it comes to overall correctness which was why I asked who makes the best reproduction (aside from Turners).

[gsimmons]

Try At The Front, they make reproduction uniforms etc. atthefront.com

[butlersrangers]

S&S Firearms sells a reproduction Krag sling for around $25. It appears decent.

I don't believe anyone reproduces the 48", model '1903' sling, but, survival rate was good on originals, because they were too short to reuse in manufacture of M-1907 slings.

(I keep contemplating making myself a '1903' sling as a fun project).

[shooter88]

I saw the Krag sling on S&S Firearms and I am pretty tempted to buy it. I will look into the original 1903 slings first. Thanks again.

gsimmons, I checked out At the Front. I didn't see anything along the lines of what I am looking for, but they do have some nice looking reproduction uniforms. I put it in my favorites. Thank you.

[butlersrangers]

I visited Turner's web site today and see that they make the m-1903 sling on special order. That might be worth the expense and wait.

[shooter88]

I was looking at Turners initially as I have heard great things about his work. I had inquired about the 1887 sling, and I was told it would cost over $80. I dont know what the 1903 runs but Im sure its probably around the same Thats a lot of money for a reproduction. I would rather take that money and find an original buttstock cleaning kit...which is next on my list.

[butlersrangers]

'shooter88' - FWIW: Check ebay for 'krag' items.

IMA sells a 64", Krag/RIA sling repro, for $23.95, that may serve your needs. 'Movieman' sells original Krag 3-rod-section & oiler sets for $50.