How do you tie the thong on a leather SMLE sling?

[Skippy]

I've got a Pattern 14 slign on my '33 No.1 Mk.III.
I'm wondering what the proper way is to tie the leathjer thong that holds the sling in the rear swivel.

Is it just a will-knot? (As in "will-knot come undone"), or is there a reccomended method?

here's an idea of how the slign attaches...

Information

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[Skippy]

For some reason I can't edit my post...
Could a mod please replace the word "bayonet" in the title with "sling."

THanks...

[bradtx]

Skippy, This really won't be much help, but will possibly jog a guru's memory. The only one I've seen in person had the thong criss crossed on the outside appearing as an X. The knot, IIRC on the backside was simply a half hitch. I don't remember if the short length of sling was on the inside or outside.

Brad

[bearhunter]

Skippy, are you sure that's a Pattern 14 sling? I personally couldn't tell you if it is. I'm asking because I picked up a couple of 5 pack bundles marked P.I.1940, approximately 1/8 inch high accross the tie end of the strap.

Your post made me take a closer look and they are marked with a broad arrow over 100, approximately 3/8in letters marked on an angle on a few of the straps.

When I first bought them, I thought they were either german or and axis countrys' slings for 98k rifles. Look like the late war expediant slings.

Thanks for the heads up. By the way, I bought them all at a yard sale last summer for $10. They were wrapped in plain brown paper that was falling to dust with no markings. Better deal than I thought.

bearhunter

[Skippy]

Pretty sure they're British. Same as the one on the british sling website (google), marked 1940 and with the british makers mark...

[Neil]

From what I've seen in the past the P'14 pattern slings have rivets & washers on the two sliders whereas the ones (same pattern) made for the 2WW were stitched on. I have only threaded this way, start at the top holes L or R inside pull up half way then bring that leg down in the other hole....you now have a looped ended tight on top then go in the other holes L&R then tie off so the knot is next to the wood. Tie a reef knot & resist cutting the ends, best longer than shorter.

You have to bring in the complete Pattern '14 leather eqpt here, there was so much in that set, rivets were the quickest and probably the strongest in use. The same rivets were used in the emergeny leather kit P#39 I believe but the slings were sewn....or at least those've seen with the c1940 dates have been sewn? HTH just my 2 Cents of course.

[saddler]

1914 Pattern slings WERE riveted construction, to save on skilled labour during WW1
They were based on the earlier 1903 Pattern slings, that were of sewn construction

The 1903 was not much changed in design or apperance to the leather slings used 50 to 60 years earlier on the '53 Enfields, Sniders, etc.

The leather P'39 slings I have seen were riveted too - though, as is often the case, exceptions DO exist - no doubt developed by some cunning chap in the War Department purely to cause havoc with future generations of collectors!!

[jdmcomp]

I had always thought these were Australian, as they did not have a weaving plant to make the mills type sling.

[Robert303]

This sling looks identical to the one that came with my Long Lee which I am told had been in one family for years. Not very scientific but - - -

[RobD]

Here's a source in the US for original and repro slings:
Military Antiques, Military Collectibles and Militaria British Enfield Leather Sling WWI Dated IMA-USA.COM
and
Military Antiques, Military Collectibles and Militaria British WWI WWII SMLE Enfield Rifle Leather Sling IMA-USA.COM