Can someone tell me about this unusual 1903 rifle sling!

[rayg]

One more photo to show the different pattern

Attachment 58488

[rayg]

I tried measuring the sling length while it was on the rifle with little accuracy. But seeing it side by side with the regular 07 sling I see it appears to be about 2" shorter, Ray

[browningautorifle]

it appears to be about 2" shorter

Interesting. Very nice example anyway. I like the early Krag style frogs.

[rayg]

I think the sling being shorter then the standard dimensions of a later 07 sling might lean even more toward it being a prototype/trials sling and not just a mixed parts 07 sling. Ray

[rayg]

In conclusion, and my opinion is that in as much as there are no obsolete slings having the same number and pattern of holes as this sling has. Even if sections of older slings, like from the Krag/TD slings which have a plain length with no holes could be used, the question remains, why weren't the same number and the same pattern of holes stamped in those sections according to the 1907 specs?
Also the sling is about 2" shorter then the 07 sling as well as having the extra holes, also the sling has a different more squared off cut on the end instead of a more rounded end cut. So in light of these factors I feel it is a completely different pattern sling and is most likely a prototype/trials sling which was made by adding an additional claw fastener, the 1903 sling had only one fastener, and adding additional holes. Eventually the holes were reduced and the length increased slightly, and it became the 1907 pattern sling. Ray

[rayg]

And not to forget, the double RI and date stamps on the sling whereas the 07 sling have only one stamp. Ray

[rayg]

And just to clarify the two locations of the RI stamps. The stamp on the short strap, is stamped right next to the fastener as shown. But the stamp on the long strap is not stamped next to the fastener, but is stamped on the opposite plain end and about 10" in from the end and in the space were there are no holes.. Ray

[rayg]

Love these mystery items as they make good discussions. A poster on another board thought it may be a sling made specially for target shooters. My take is that I think there's maybe too many changes from the 1903 sling to be just a special sling for the target shooters. But I'm sure he's correct in that the arsenal was trying to placate both the military and the target shooters. So I believe the arsenal put together a prototype sling to satisfy both by adding an additional adjuster/fastener to enhance shooting support and a lot of extra adjustment holes. Probably that many holes were found to be unnecessary and the number of holes reduced and the sling lengthened a couple inches and eventually all of these changes were approved and adopted by the army as the model 1907 sling. Does that make sense? Ray

[browningautorifle]

See, I'd think that too many holes would make the sling weaker. So using less in the area of the swivel would be stronger in the long run. The length would be something to work out over time.