gewehr 98 sling?

[bnrg]

Hi,
I've seen a few Gewehr 98 repro slings for sale (Liberty Tree and IMA)-I'm lookng for one that is historically correct. Any recommendations?

Does the 'quick release' lower swivel also attach to the hole in front trigger guard? Why would that be used? My Gew98 has a swivel installed on the butt swivel mount-can be removed by taking out a screw. Is this not the original type?
Thanks,
Bob

Information

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[usmc3439]

I bought one from World war supply. Will post back regarding the quality of the sling once I receive it. Yes, the quick release attaches in the front of the trigger guard, this was done to set up the sling "parade style". Gewehr 98 slings had an additional ring that goes on a little hook behind the bayonet lug, this is used when the sling is attached to the front of the trigger guard. Will post pictures soon. If the rifle has a ring installed in the buttstock, that might be installed to use a regular sling. The original piece should be a solid piece of metal for the quick release buckle.

[gew8805]

Hi,
I've seen a few Gewehr 98 repro slings for sale (Liberty Tree and IMA)-I'm lookng for one that is historically correct. Any recommendations?

Does the 'quick release' lower swivel also attach to the hole in front trigger guard? Why would that be used? My Gew98 has a swivel installed on the butt swivel mount-can be removed by taking out a screw. Is this not the original type?
Thanks,
Bob

The reproduction slings are fine. Originals are extremely hard to find "on the loose" and are very expensive. The detachable swivels and parade loops are commonly available but the buckles are not. Buy the reproduction and install it correctly and enjoy. Here are the instructions about how to properly install a sling on the Gew98:

Remove the loop and buckle from the sling and, using the detachable swivel, attach the sling to the plate on the buttstock. Now slide the metal wire parade loop (with the bulge pointing forward) onto the sling. Slide the square buckle onto the sling about 10 inches (this will change later) and run the sling through the loop on the rear barrel band finishing by attaching the end of the sling to the button on the back of the buckle. To put the sling in parade position and do the final buckle adjustment, remove the detachable swivel from the plate on the bottom of the buttstock and temporarily put it through the hole on the triggerguard. Try the parade loop on the small hook on the bottom of the barrel band and adjust the buckle as necessary so that the sling will be taught in that position. When you have the buckle adjusted properly, the process to move from the carry position to parade will be:

(1)Remove the detachable sling from its position in the plate.
(2)Run the parade loop up the sling attaching it to the hook on the front band.
(3)Secure the detachable swivel in the hole at the front of the triggerguard loop.

When you wish to go from parade to carry:

(1)Remove the detachable swivel from the hole in the triggerguard.
(2)Remove the loop from the hook on the front band.
(3)Attach the swivel to the plate on the bottom of the buttstock.

Remember that, when in the parade position the face of the buckle will be against the stock.

[IMG][/IMG]

For a picture of the sling in the carry position, see below, soldiers number 2, 4 and 5 in the back row. The first fellow in the back row still has his sling in parade postion, the sling in the carry position has had the detachable swivel moved to the plate on the bottom of the butt stock after removing the parade loop from the hook on the front band:

[IMG][/IMG]

Hope this helps.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Thank you for a very informative post!
BTW, the soldier in the 1st photo seems to have a sword attached to his rifle! It is certainly longer than anything else I have seen on a 20th century rifle. Any idea what type it was?

[gsimmons]

It's the first type G98 bayonet, Patrick.

[gew8805]

Yes, it is the pre-War standard Sg98 bayonet developed for use on the Gew98. It was designed to allow a German soldier the same reach as his French opponent with the Lebel rifle and his bayonet. And it had similar problems to the French Model 1886 bayonet - affectionately called "Rosalie" by the French soldiers - too easily broken and far too long for use in the trench warfare of WW1. The Sg98/05 Butcher Bayonet - and others - became standard by the time the war settled in. Good photos and information on the Sg98a/A and n/A are shown here listed as the M1898 a/A and M1898 n/A:

Bayonets of Imperial Germany 1871-1918

Ralph Cobb's excellent bayonet pages are indexed here:

Bayonet Identification Guide Index

Glad that you found the post helpful Patrick.

[DocAV]

There are "several" Correct WW I Gew98 ( replica) slings. The variations occur in the Quality of the Leather (Smooth or cross -hatched) and in the means of attaching the QD swivel ( collar stud button with protective flap, or stitched on permanently) Finally, the Buckle may be a plain buckle( stamped or cast) or a Collar-button Buckle ( same as the Austro Hungarian Sling Buckle) where the button is part of the central crossbarr of the buckle (ie, makes removing/adjusting sling easier).
The variations indicate period of manufacture and use..cross-hatching was introduced to prevent cracking of the leather, stitching on the QD was introduced to prevent loss ( and remove the need for extra cover flap and collar stud manufacture) and the collar-stud Buckle was for improved sling adjustment. ( also cut out extra stitching as well.)

The available Replicas on sale reflect all these variations (official)...but during WW II the Export design slings were also put in service ( Latin American Mausers, etc).

Doc AV






All these patterns are from WW I originals. So it just depends on the quality of the reproduction.

[gew8805]

A good post Doc, the sewn-on detachable swivel was the second design for the 88/98 sling, and with the detachable swivel came the buckle with the stud. This design upgrade was done at the beginning of the First World War.

The Czechs copied the German studded buckle on their otherwise Austro-Hungarian style sling after the Great War. Not sure that the Austrians used that studded buckle but you may be correct for the post WW1 era.

The Germans made heavy use of SA export slings for the Gew98/Gew88 during WW1 and may have done so during WW2 as well, though their need for them was nowhere near as great as during WW1.