4 (T) Sling Storage in No. 15 Transit Chest

[tj214]

I've found only minor discussion about whether the M1907 sling should be attached to the 4 (T) while in the transit chest, but if it's attached the rifle doesn't fit in the cradles. Hope somebody here has the true gen on this matter--not earth-shattering, but interesting.

The Artiozen website (The Collection for No4T Sniper - CES (Complete Equipment Schedule). and CESSI (Complete Equipment Schedule Supplementary Issue) - Going Beyond the Chest...) has what he states are the CES lists for Apr 42, Oct 44, and Aug 45. The 1942 and 1944 lists specifically state the sling was to remain attached, while the 1945 list drops the requirement.

Logically it makes no sense for “transit” chest to be considered a “combat" or “operational” piece of gear, particularly given how much that sucker weighs when fully loaded! Therefore one would think there was no operational need to keep the sling actually attached to the rifle while in the chest.

BUT. Logic and military practice are...sometimes...rather far apart (ahem).

Apr 42 CES:


Oct 44 CES:


Aug 45 CES:


The Aug 45 list may or may not be “postwar” since the shooting stopped in the Pacific that month. Maybe reduced readiness meant it was no longer felt necessary to keep the rifle in "readiness," but this is pretty idiotic reasoning.

When the sling is configured for the shooter's correct length then coiled and stored at the bottom of the Transit Chest, everything fits. Furthermore, reattaching the sling takes all of 5-8 seconds, which doesn't sound too troublesome if the Chest was not carried into combat(!)

Anybody have the unvarnished truth about what WW II snipers really did with their slings?