What is the proper SMLE sling

[Aragorn243]

I have a 1918 SMLE BSA rifle and would like to get a correct "period" sling for it.

I'm not looking for the real deal but a reproduction due to cost factors. I've seen a blue webbed style, a khaki web style and a leather 1907 sling advertised on ebay and all claiming to be for the rifle. I personally prefer leather slings but as the 1907 sling is also advertised to fit numerous US rifles, I don't know if this would be authentic for a British rifle. Maybe none of these is correct.

So what is the correct nomenclature, type and or color sling I should be looking for? I guess due to the longevity of the rifle, several types may be appropriate so if different periods have different slings, help in this area would also be appreciated.

Information

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[Stu]

You could look at this website on Military Slings. Click on Great Britain and then click on the British Slings Overview and then scroll down to the 1908 Pattern Web slings and I think you'll find what you want.

Rifle Sling Home Page

HTH

Stu

[kar98k]

they used leather in WWI and web slings showed up during WWII

[bigduke6]

Aragorn243,

Think the site stu has uncovered tells a lot, but regarding the blue sling you have seen this would be related to the RAF, in fact any webbing in blue would be RAF, as your rifle is dated 1918 then khaki webbing or leather would be ok, but the RFC and RNAS formed the RAF in this year, but do not know when the RAF started to use blue webbing have a feeling it was in the 20,s .

One thing a lot of people overlook is that during Wartime anything goes, the shortage of equipment, uniforms etc was never taken into consideration as this War (WW1) would be over before christmas they said.

If there was a shortage of slings, and only leather slings were available at the time, then these would of been issued.

(Stu, Well done on finding this site)

[Aragorn243]

Nice site. Never thought about leather rotting in the trenches. Looks like most of the slings are web types because of that but leather of two patterns including the US 1907 are listed.

The blue slings I saw advertised were listed as Australian slings.

I may have to rethink the sling I was going to get for my 1917 Eddystone. I had planned to get a 1907 for it but because of the rotting I guess, the sling shown for it is also of web type.

[browningautorifle]

The 1907 sling was used by the US until late 44 or so. Didn't matter about rotting. They just re issued. The leather equipment didn't last long in the commonwealth system however.

[peregrinvs]

The basic British 'general service' sling was used from 1901 all the way up to 1991 when the L85A1 assault rifle was introduced. The final version used with the L1A1 SLR was made from woven Nylon rather than webbing. Loads of information here:

Weapons: Slings

Early in WWI, the Pattern 1914 leather sling was introduced in order to increase supply, which is a slightly shortened version of the sling used with the long Lee-Enfield. By 1918 I suspect the majority of rifles would have been issued with a webbing sling as production would have caught up.

Any khaki coloured webbing sling will do for a 1918 BSA, although an ideal one would be WWI dated. (not common or cheap) Most WWI slings were stamped on the brass ends, whereas later ones were stamped in ink on the sling itself.

Mark

[Aragorn243]

My sling arrived today. Appears to be a repro of the Mark I second issue with M.E. Co and 1913 date markings. Made in India so it ought to be patterned right. I've never owned a web sling of this type before so while it appears incredibly simple to install, what is the correct direction of the "c" hooks for lack of a better term. My biggest problem at present is that I have a synthetic butt stock attached to the rifle and have lost the location of the original butt stock. It's here, just not where I can find it easily and the attic is too hot for a prolonged search. I took the rifle deer hunting many years ago and never returned it to its original configuration. I also have a scope mounted on it with a B-square no tapping required mount. That I'll probably leave on for shooting.

I did end up going with a 1907 leather sling for the 1917 Eddystone. Found a nice site that shows how to install that nightmare, has to be the most complex sling I've ever installed. It appears this sling was designed to be used while shooting and it actually approximates or I should say the modern shooting slings approximate it's style.

[browningautorifle]

If you think the 1907's a nightmare, you ought to try the Kerr No-Buckle sling. The direction of the C clips was strictly a matter for the Regimental Sargent Major at hand. I used those slings for the first number of years in the Canadian Army and you should have seen the "personal" preferences of the commanders on hand. Just be glad you don't have to polish the brass portions.