rifle sling webbing

[Kev G]

Just wondering if anyone is still making any woven Mills type rifle sling webbing any where in the 3rd world or if surplus reels of it are still available in the UK ?
When was it last made (dated on sling) before the horid nylon stuff started being used ?

ATB Kevin

Information

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[Beerhunter]

There are still stacks of surplus rifle slings available on this side of the pond. The last ones that I bought were three pounds each. (Three or four years back.)

[breakeyp]

India is still making a coarse weave web sling. My friend's son, a Speical Forces Major, got me one from the Indian PX when he was taking a course in India. His first experience with an assigned Batman!

[Kev G]

Cheers,looking for sling webbing rather than the slings themselves so will do some research regarding India.
Many thanks, Kevin

[saddler]

I used to work in a leather goods factory in Tyneside, England

Part of the stores had shelves of the flat sling ends with the metal prongs....and boxes of the correct hollow rivets. Elsewhere in the store were rolls of the 1" cotton webbing.

The company did a lot of export orders for the Middle East Arab states & IIRC the slings were occasionally sent there, but not that often.

When I looked into making L42 slings about 4 or 5 years ago I found approx. 3 British webbing suppliers that still produced the 1" cotton rifle sling webbing

...may have some remnants of sling parts & fittings, etc. from the Tyneside factory: as I bought all their stable belt webbing when they went into liquidation - must have about 40/50 rolls of stable belt cotton web!!

[Beerhunter]

I bought all their stable belt webbing when they went into liquidation - must have about 40/50 rolls of stable belt cotton web!!

Just for idle curiosity, what Regts./Corps?

[saddler]

Just for idle curiosity, what Regts./Corps?

Easy answer on that one = YES
OR, the more detailed answer = not got a bloody Scooby, mate

The obvious ones like Medical Corps, Para Regt., etc. I can spot: but I was a Penguin/Rockape, so aint too genned up on Pongo kit

Methinks we need a Kodak moment or two in order to sort the issue out:










oh, I have been known to make Stable belts - did so at the factory for the odd order from Toy, Kenning & Spencer. Not made any for a while but they are easy-ish...last ones I did were a few extra-long K.O.S.B. from the museum in Berwick, which I shortened to non-pie-diet sizes for lesser mortals.

NOT got extensive notes on the different leather tabs/straps - but I do remember that there were at least three different leather tab/strap/buckle patterns depending on regiment, etc.

Hope this is of use,

Jon

[Cottage Hill Bill]

Jon,

Does stable belt webbing just happen to be the same size/weight as the webbing between the arches on a 1902UP?

[Peter Laidler]

I bet that a lot of those belt materials are from now long amalgamated or disbanded regiments although the last one is Royal Artillery. Years ago the buckles were a high nickel content brass (?) but over the past 15 years or so, they're chrome plated rubbishy cheap pot metal. When I was finishing, one of the young Craftsmen at the workshop here asked me if he could have my Stable belt when I left. Being niave and stupid, I thought it was because he appreciated something I'd done or even respected me for something....................... When I gave it to him out of my drawer, I asked him what he wanted it for, expecting a complimentary sort of answer, he replied '......... it's got a nice, old nickel; brass buckle and you don't see them like that anymore'. That's the way to deflate ego's!!!!!!!!! I kept my gilt and silver cap badge as nobody ever noticed that it was from Australia with RAEME on it

Where were we........., ah, stable belts.........

[saddler]

Jon,

Does stable belt webbing just happen to be the same size/weight as the webbing between the arches on a 1902UP?

THAT is the origin of "Stable Belts" - it was a way for cavalry regiments & the like to add more flair to their otherwise drab working dress uniforms.
Girth straps from saddles were modified into belts by the local saddler; some also had a leather pocket/pouch or two added. Things then became more formalised, though a lot of belts were issued "on purchase" by the recruit buying his from the NAAFI - it was an item approved for service use, but not issued.

Let me know if you need a length of this - as every time there is a strong wind here the ceiling rafters creak under the weight of all the rolls!! (Stored in the attic out of the way)