Slings

[stencollector]

The plastic buckles were around long before the 82 pattern webbing was introduced. The 1975 FN manual shows them. I posed this question to some of the more advanced webbing collectors here in Canada, and they concur with the timelines I have given for the metal and plastic buckles as being patterned on the 50s and 60s webbing. The likely reason that the metal buckled version is relatively rare compared to the plastic is that they were being replaced fairly early in the FNs timeline. The metal buckled sling is shown in the 63 parts manual (as is the Lee Enfield pattern of sling).

Also, I have seen many of the metal and plastic buckled slings with blanco on them. Blanco was long gone in the CF by the 80s.

As an aside, the C2 bras (chest pouch for magazines) can also be found with either metal or plastic hardware. The metallic clad ones have are of a more common canvas material while the later ones have the rubberized canvas.

[stencollector]

Another collector answered the question about when the nylon buckles were introduced into service. He quotes Infantry Liaison Letter No. 9 dated 21 Feb 1958 which discusses the replacement of the metal, and the reasons why. It would certainly explain the reason why the metal buckled slings are harder to come by; they were replaced very early in the C1 rifles existence.

Credit for the following excerpts goes to Dan Martel.

[nzl1a1collector]

Another collector answered the question about when the nylon buckles were introduced into service. He quotes Infantry Liaison Letter No. 9 dated 21 Feb 1958 which discusses the replacement of the metal, and the reasons why. It would certainly explain the reason why the metal buckled slings are harder to come by; they were replaced very early in the C1 rifles existence.

Credit for the following excerpts goes to Dan Martel.

Sten,

Thank you for providing the documentation it's brilliant, please pass along my thanks to Dan Martel for providing it. I wonder what other juicy bits of info are hidden in the "Infantry Liaison Letters" about the C1 rifles?

[stencollector]

I hope I haven't been to anal about the 64 pattern/82 pattern nomenclature. I just didn't want to see incorrect information perpetuated, as happens all too often in this age of information.

I'll pass on a thanks to Dan.

[Capt.Mainwaring]

I am WTB one of the '82 pattern slings myself, for my No.4. I'd be pleased to hear from someone who has an extra or who can recommend a source. Thanks.

[browningautorifle]

I don't want to appear contradictory but the plastic buckles didn't appear until the early 80s. Or thereabouts. They may have been conceived during the end of the 50s but remember, the FN it's self only came to light then. I assure you, we used the 303 slings for the most part in the 70s and the black covered brass buckle was scarce but prized by professionals. The plastic came at the end and the buckles were a failure as they broke in hard use. The sling was cheap and tended to fray and split at the ends also. I was there for all of this. I know for a fact.

[stencollector]

The slings in use could vary between units, and the whims of the CQs who ordered in the spares. Whatever the time lines were for the plastic buckled sling, I can guarantee they had nothing to do with the 82 pattern webbing, and were in CF inventory long before that time. To call them 64 pattern would be wrong as well, as it would appear they were envisioned before that time. But that style of plastic/nylon buckle was a product of what is referred to as the 60s pattern of webbing.

I didn't join the CF until the mid 70s, and it was plastic buckled slings at that time.

[browningautorifle]

I agree they aren't 64 pattern, I never looked at slings as ANY pattern. They weren't refered to in that way either. CQs would just order a number on the fish and get what came. I saw a few things come that way..leather cheek pieces for M1 rifles, bore brushes for M14s and a ranging barrel for the .50 in the Centurion tank - which was no longer in use.