+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 33

Thread: Pre-WWII web slings, common, uncommon, rare or unobtainium?

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member Garandy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    Today @ 02:25 PM
    Location
    Midwest, USA
    Posts
    156
    Real Name
    Andy
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    06:17 PM

    Pre-WWII web slings, common, uncommon, rare or unobtainium?

    Looking for a late WWI or early 1920's web sling for a SMLE at the moment.

    Not really looking to pay $250 for the one WWI dated sling I can locate presently.

    Were all web slings marked with the manufacturer mark and date on the metal end fittings up to a point or were some stamped on the webbing circa WWI?

    I see a lot of unmarked "WWII" Enfield slings that appear to be very much like the marked WWI slings I can find pics of, other than the absence of markings.

    I'd think that with the millions of Enfields that were made for the first world war, WWI vintage slings would be more available. Or, they are and are hiding in plain sight.

    Were tubular rivets used to attach the sling fittings in WWI, or only the rivet and washer arrangement?

    I've done some searching on Enfield sling ID, and found surprisingly less than I expected.
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Last On
    08-11-2024 @ 10:05 PM
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    5,244
    Local Date
    11-01-2024
    Local Time
    12:17 AM
    In my collection of webbing Enfield slings I only have one which is WW1 dated and this is marked on the brass end I believe. This sling was given to me by a UKicon dealer 25 or so years ago when buying something else off him.

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    RobD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Last On
    10-10-2024 @ 04:38 PM
    Location
    UK / South Africa
    Posts
    942
    Local Date
    11-01-2024
    Local Time
    12:17 AM
    Garandy, have you had a look at this?
    Weapons: Slings

  6. #4
    Contributing Member CINDERS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Last On
    Today @ 10:37 AM
    Location
    South West Western Australia
    Posts
    7,956
    Real Name
    CINDERS
    Local Date
    11-01-2024
    Local Time
    07:17 AM
    Think I paid $130/Aud for this Wrights 1916 black (Not blanco'ed) web sling 15 years ago put it on my 5MD 1916 Lithgowicon No.1 MKIII.

    Flea-bay has lots of replica ones but if you do buy an original one make sure its not for the bren gun as they are considerably longer than the standard length ones that fir the rifle.
    Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCN6250.JPG‎
Views:	330
Size:	1.60 MB
ID:	127768  

  7. #5
    Legacy Member Mk VII's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Last On
    10-08-2024 @ 03:09 PM
    Location
    England
    Age
    63
    Posts
    1,418
    Real Name
    James West
    Local Date
    11-01-2024
    Local Time
    12:17 AM
    They are out there, but most have been worn out by two wars and National Service afterwards. Unless they are marked on the metal, Blanco and boot polish make it hard to tell.

  8. #6
    Advisory Panel
    Roger Payne's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Last On
    10-23-2024 @ 04:26 AM
    Location
    Sutton Coldfield, UK.
    Posts
    3,506
    Real Name
    Roger Payne
    Local Date
    11-01-2024
    Local Time
    12:17 AM
    I know a fat lot about slings, but look out for WW1 examples from time to time for my own rifles. Does anyone know what the situation was for the location of maker & date marking? All WW1 examples that I can recall seeing to date were stamped into the brass fittings at each end, but later examples seem to be undated or dated simply by an ink stamp directly on to the webbing. Was there a system of rules for this, &/or were manufacturers simply allowed more latitude as time went on?

  9. #7
    Legacy Member tonyd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Last On
    Today @ 01:38 PM
    Location
    nz
    Posts
    56
    Real Name
    Tony
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    06:17 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Garandy View Post
    Looking for a late WWI or early 1920's web sling for a SMLE at the moment.

    Not really looking to pay $250 for the one WWI dated sling I can locate presently.

    Were all web slings marked with the manufacturer mark and date on the metal end fittings up to a point or were some stamped on the webbing circa WWI?

    I see a lot of unmarked "WWII" Enfield slings that appear to be very much like the marked WWI slings I can find pics of, other than the absence of markings.

    I'd think that with the millions of Enfields that were made for the first world war, WWI vintage slings would be more available. Or, they are and are hiding in plain sight.

    Were tubular rivets used to attach the sling fittings in WWI, or only the rivet and washer arrangement?

    I've done some searching on Enfield sling ID, and found surprisingly less than I expected.
    I have a MECo 1914 webb and a wrights 1916 dated & N^Z marked webb sling spare, if ya can help me out with a mk1 smle nosecap, or waisted front sight protector / hinged front band for early no4, let's talk!

  10. #8
    Legacy Member Strangely Brown's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    Today @ 10:38 AM
    Location
    Wiltshire UK
    Age
    73
    Posts
    560
    Real Name
    Mick Kelly
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    11:17 PM
    The latest dated sling I own is 1949; the few Great War examples I have encountered have all been in dire condition as MkVII mentions above.
    Mick

  11. Thank You to Strangely Brown For This Useful Post:


  12. #9
    Advisory Panel
    Roger Payne's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Last On
    10-23-2024 @ 04:26 AM
    Location
    Sutton Coldfield, UK.
    Posts
    3,506
    Real Name
    Roger Payne
    Local Date
    11-01-2024
    Local Time
    12:17 AM
    Mick, out of curiosity, is your 1949 dated example ink stamped onto the webbing or stamped into the brass ends?

  13. #10
    Legacy Member Strangely Brown's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    Today @ 10:38 AM
    Location
    Wiltshire UK
    Age
    73
    Posts
    560
    Real Name
    Mick Kelly
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    11:17 PM
    Roger, stamped on the brass ends: W.H. over 1949.

    I suspect any ink markings on the webbing that might have been there have long since rubbed off.
    Mick

  14. Thank You to Strangely Brown For This Useful Post:


+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 ... LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Not rare but not common
    By CINDERS in forum Milsurps General Discussion Forum
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 06-12-2022, 10:51 AM
  2. Rare color photo WWII
    By sakorick in forum M1/M2 Carbine
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 05-20-2015, 02:22 PM
  3. What's story on unmarked WWII 1907 slings ??
    By giguy41 in forum M1 Garand/M14/M1A Rifles
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 02-21-2011, 05:41 PM
  4. WWII factory pack of 10 SM Co carbine slings??
    By MAford=5 in forum M1/M2 Carbine
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 12-01-2010, 03:37 PM
  5. Common, or Uncommon, Marking?
    By Laoshi in forum M1/M2 Carbine
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 07-03-2009, 08:57 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts