vintage leather military rifle slings

[Bill Fisher]

Good day all on old trapdoors and krags i seen these rifles with a old leather slings with brass claws at both ends. would like any info or where to look to find the various makers of these slings many years ago,I am sure there are plenty of them back then thanks for any help you can give me bill

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.

[RT Ellis]

US Slings

This website is probably more useful to your inquiry than any other source on the internet. You may also find it useful to search this forum using the search feature, as there have been other discussions regarding rifle slings that may be useful to your questions.

Your description of the "hooks at both ends" observation suggests that you examined one piece of a Gunsling M1907 Special that was intended for use on the Browning Automatic Rifle M1918. The standard Gunsling M1907 consisted of two separate pieces each of which had a hook assembled to one end. The Gunsling M1907 Special the long piece had an additional hook so that the sling could be extended, so that the sling could be used over the left shoulder, to support the BAR carried at the opposite hip for assault firing.

U.S. gunslings prior to the M1907 had one hook, so if what you observed was on a rifle M1873, or rifle M1894 or later variations or these rifles, it was most likely incorrect for the rifle, but it is not uncommon to find later gunslings on examples of earlier firearms.

As to makers Watervliet Arsenal c.1873-1890, and Rock Island Arsenal c.1873-1918, manufactured most of the gunslings issued, except that contractors manufactured gunslings during the emergency of 1898 and 1917-18. After WWI all gunslings were manufactured by contractors. The identification of the the contractors is incomplete, and the manufacture for commercial sales adds to the identification problem.

[RT Ellis]

Attachment 65968

Interesting simulated manufacturer marking on a reproduction riflesling M1907 marketed by International Military Antiques, that may be of interest to this discussion. A variety of gunslings are offered, that appear to be very good reproductions suitable for display or use.

note that the stitching is incorrect on the illustrated example of the reproduction.

[Richard Turner]

note that the stitching is incorrect on the illustrated example of the reproduction.

You are correct, leather is never stitched across the strap. This type stitching creates a perforation, just like a check book, easily tears with age and use. This type of stitching was never authorized for any ordnance leather straps. It weakens the leather and will not last very long through use. You will never see a strap related to harness or horse gear stitched in this manner as it will lead to injury or a bad wreck.

[Bill Fisher]

thanks for your reply these claws were brass type an were riveted on both ends on one of them I can just make out 1918 then the rest fades away. I did see on the net a company name john boyle hoyt cs bta&b and Lawrence angina thanks bill I will search here for the info

[rldarmstr]

Try this site. Lots of info on slings.

US Slings

[browningautorifle]

Matter of fact, here's the list I have of 1907 sling manufacturers...sounds like there's a couple of slings assembled to make one in this case.


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, Concord

[Richard Turner]

Good day all on old trapdoors and krags i seen these rifles with a old leather slings with brass claws at both ends. would like any info or where to look to find the various makers of these slings many years ago,I am sure there are plenty of them back then thanks for any help you can give me bill

Bill:

If the long strap (47" inches in length) has the brass frogs on each end and 16 pair of holes on one end, and 9 pair of holes at the other, it is the M1907 (Modified) Sling for the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle. Here is a photo of the Rock Island Arsenal drawing. The M1907 (Modified) is the sling strap at the top. Both the M1907 and M1907 (Modified) Slings utilized the same pattern short strap and pair of keepers.

Regards,

Richard

[IMG][/IMG]

[browningautorifle]

IMA would not be my first choice for many reasons and things...