K98 Slings

[Aragorn243]

Did anyone ever produce a smooth K98 sling?

I picked one up today at a yard sale for 50 cents. Looks brand new and unissued. No markings anywhere, has a keeper has the leather on the underside of the metal buckle. Completely smooth exterior. No cross hatching, no parallel grooves on the sides.

I'm assuming repro but for 50 cents, I'm not complaining. I'll stick it on one of my numerous Carcano's.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

I'm assuming repro

Well, a friend of mine made one for himself out of fittings and a piece of saddle skirt. Where there's one...

[Calif-Steve]

Lots of K98 repos coming out of India. Not bad looking, but they are an obvious newly made sling.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

M-48?

[Aragorn243]

M-48?

M48 slings don't have the slide buckle

The Indian slings are Kar98k repos.

The repros I've seen, and I have at least two, all have the cross hatching on the leather.

[LG447]

Various countries made smooth K98 slings. Post-war Norwegian slings are smooth. I believe the slings they used on their K98's during German occupation were also smooth. I've also seen smooth post-war West German slings. It's possible you have an authentic sling.

[Calif-Steve]

The Indian slings are Kar98k repos.

[Aragorn243]

Since it's possible it's authentic, here are some photos to try to make a determination. To me, it looks like it was never used. But the buckle and the sling keeper both look older than the rest of the sling. Perhaps it's possibly a refurbished sling using an older buckle.

[Calif-Steve]

That is not Indian to me. Post war, but done nicely.