Need ID on early WWII leather "Enfield" rifle sling

[gew8805]

My understanding of the nomenclature is that the rifle sling was not included in the branding of 37 Pattern; instead becoming, "Sling Rifle Webbing" which included the much later green nylon slings of the 1970's & 80's.

Pedantic...Moi?

Pedantic? Not at all, quite correct actually. Collectors often mistakenly call the British web sling either P08 or P37. The web rifle sling - correctly called "Sling, rifle, web, G.S. (Mark I) First Issue" was adopted for use by L. of C. §10442, approved 31st January 1901, with a secondary date of 7th February 1901. It was modified in the L. of C. §12060, dated 13th November 1903 and 1st January 1904 as the "Sling, rifle, web, G.S. (Mark I) Second Issue", to have a 1/2 inch longer brass catch or hook attached by rivets rather than the first issue sling's eyelets. The British web sling was on issue from 1901 to 1991.

For an accurate review of British rifle slings, see the outstanding reference site "Karkee Web" at:

Weapons: Slings