+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: vintage leather military rifle slings

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Bill Fisher's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Last On
    05-14-2019 @ 12:59 PM
    Location
    granger in usa
    Posts
    44
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:29 AM

    vintage leather military rifle slings

    Good day all on old trapdoors and krags i seen these rifles with a old leather slings with brass claws at both ends. would like any info or where to look to find the various makers of these slings many years ago,I am sure there are plenty of them back then thanks for any help you can give me bill
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Legacy Member RT Ellis's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Last On
    08-13-2020 @ 03:22 AM
    Location
    California USA
    Posts
    282
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    06:29 AM
    US Slings

    This website is probably more useful to your inquiry than any other source on the internet. You may also find it useful to search this forum using the search feature, as there have been other discussions regarding rifle slings that may be useful to your questions.

    Your description of the "hooks at both ends" observation suggests that you examined one piece of a Gunsling M1907 Special that was intended for use on the Browning Automatic Rifle M1918. The standard Gunsling M1907 consisted of two separate pieces each of which had a hook assembled to one end. The Gunsling M1907 Special the long piece had an additional hook so that the sling could be extended, so that the sling could be used over the left shoulder, to support the BAR carried at the opposite hip for assault firing.

    U.S. gunslings prior to the M1907 had one hook, so if what you observed was on a rifle M1873, or rifle M1894 or later variations or these rifles, it was most likely incorrect for the rifle, but it is not uncommon to find later gunslings on examples of earlier firearms.

    As to makers Watervliet Arsenal c.1873-1890, and Rock Island Arsenal c.1873-1918, manufactured most of the gunslings issued, except that contractors manufactured gunslings during the emergency of 1898 and 1917-18. After WWI all gunslings were manufactured by contractors. The identification of the the contractors is incomplete, and the manufacture for commercial sales adds to the identification problem.
    Last edited by RT Ellis; 06-28-2015 at 01:56 PM.

  4. The Following 4 Members Say Thank You to RT Ellis For This Useful Post:


  5. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  6. #3
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Bill Fisher's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Last On
    05-14-2019 @ 12:59 PM
    Location
    granger in usa
    Posts
    44
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:29 AM
    Thread Starter
    thanks for your reply these claws were brass type an were riveted on both ends on one of them I can just make out 1918 then the rest fades away. I did see on the net a company name john boyle hoyt cs bta&b and Lawrence angina thanks bill I will search here for the info

  7. #4
    Legacy Member rldarmstr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    01-30-2021 @ 01:58 PM
    Posts
    30
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    06:29 AM
    Try this site. Lots of info on slings.

    US Slings

  8. #5
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:05 PM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,836
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:29 AM
    Matter of fact, here's the list I have of 1907 sling manufacturers...sounds like there's a couple of slings assembled to make one in this case.


    John Clark Saddlery Co., Portland Or. - Rifle Scabbards, Saddles Cav M1904

    Clinton Saddlery Co., Clinton, Ia. - Pistol Holsters, Bridles, Saddles, Saddle Bags.

    Duncan & Sons, Seattle, Wa. - Gunslings M1907, Brest Collars, Rifle Scabbards, Saddles M1904.

    Graton & Knight Mfg. Co., Worcester, MA. - Bridles M1914, Bayonet Scabbards, Revolver Holsters M1909, Gunslings M1907, Leather.

    Harrison & Gathright, Louisville, Ky. - Saddle Cav M1904. [known to have made M1907 slings]

    Harpham Brothers Co., Lincoln, Ne. - Saddles M1904

    Hermann Sanford Saddlery Co., Springfield, Mo. - Gunslings, Bridles M1914, Saddles Arty and Cav M1904.

    Hess & Hopkins Leather Co., Rockford, Il. - Saddles Arty and Cav M1904

    Hewes & Potter, Boston, Ma. - Pouches small articles, hand axe carriers, pick mattock carriers. [known to have made M1907 slings]

    Henry Hotze & Son, St. Louis, Mo. - Saddles Arty and Cav M1904

    F. M. Hoyt Shoe Co., Manchester, N.H. - Breech Lock Covers, Pannier Packs, Pistol Holsters, Gunslings, Canteen covers, Headstalls, Feed Bags, Helmet Linings.

    Kerr Adjustable Strap Co., New York, N.Y. - Gunslings. [Web]

    Edward R. Ladew Co., Glen Cove, N.Y. - Brest Collars, Saddles Arty and Cav M1904, Headstalls, Gun Slings, Bridles M1909, Rifle Scabbards.

    George Lawrence Co., Portland, Or. - Saddles Arty and Cav M1904, Gun Slings, Rifle Scabbards.

    Lichtenberger-Ferguson Co., Los Angles, Ca. - Saddle Cav M1904, Rifle Scabbards, Gun slings.

    Plant Brothers & Co., Manchester, N.H.- Bridles M1909, Suspenders for haversack, Water Buckets, Gunslings for U. S. Rifle M1917, Magazine Bandoleers, Pistol Belts, Ration Bags, Cartridge Belts, Feed Bags, Shovel Carriers, Pouches for First Aid, Haversacks.

    Rice-Soren Saddlery Co., Muskegon, Mi. - Saddles arty and cav M1904. [known to have made M1907 slings]

    Scheffer & Rossum Co., St. Paul, Mn. - Bridles M1909, Mule Saddles M1913, Pistol Holsters, Saddles Arty and Cav M1904.

    Westboro Trunk & Bag Co., Westboro, Ma. - Carrying cases. [known to have made M1907 slings]

    Smith Worthington Co., Hartford, Ct. - Saddles Cav M1904, Bridles M1909, Gunslings.

    Western Mfg. Co., San Francisco, Ca. - Gunslings M1907.

    Harvey Wheeler, Concord
    Regards, Jim

  9. The Following 3 Members Say Thank You to browningautorifle For This Useful Post:


  10. #6
    Contributing Member Richard Turner's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Last On
    06-14-2023 @ 06:35 AM
    Location
    Clay, Alabama
    Posts
    23
    Real Name
    Richard Turner
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    06:29 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Fisher View Post
    Good day all on old trapdoors and krags i seen these rifles with a old leather slings with brass claws at both ends. would like any info or where to look to find the various makers of these slings many years ago,I am sure there are plenty of them back then thanks for any help you can give me bill
    Bill:

    If the long strap (47" inches in length) has the brass frogs on each end and 16 pair of holes on one end, and 9 pair of holes at the other, it is the M1907 (Modified) Sling for the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle. Here is a photo of the Rock Island Arsenal drawing. The M1907 (Modified) is the sling strap at the top. Both the M1907 and M1907 (Modified) Slings utilized the same pattern short strap and pair of keepers.

    Regards,

    Richard

    [IMG][/IMG]

  11. The Following 5 Members Say Thank You to Richard Turner For This Useful Post:


  12. #7
    Legacy Member RT Ellis's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Last On
    08-13-2020 @ 03:22 AM
    Location
    California USA
    Posts
    282
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    06:29 AM
    Attachment 65968

    Interesting simulated manufacturer marking on a reproduction riflesling M1907 marketed by International Military Antiques, that may be of interest to this discussion. A variety of gunslings are offered, that appear to be very good reproductions suitable for display or use.

    note that the stitching is incorrect on the illustrated example of the reproduction.
    Last edited by RT Ellis; 09-26-2015 at 02:05 PM.

  13. #8
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:05 PM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,836
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:29 AM
    IMA would not be my first choice for many reasons and things...
    Regards, Jim

  14. #9
    Contributing Member Richard Turner's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Last On
    06-14-2023 @ 06:35 AM
    Location
    Clay, Alabama
    Posts
    23
    Real Name
    Richard Turner
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    06:29 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by RT Ellis View Post
    note that the stitching is incorrect on the illustrated example of the reproduction.
    You are correct, leather is never stitched across the strap. This type stitching creates a perforation, just like a check book, easily tears with age and use. This type of stitching was never authorized for any ordnance leather straps. It weakens the leather and will not last very long through use. You will never see a strap related to harness or horse gear stitched in this manner as it will lead to injury or a bad wreck.

  15. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to Richard Turner For This Useful Post:


+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. Military Rifle Slings
    By usmcvet1967 in forum Milsurps General Discussion Forum
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 03-24-2013, 03:36 PM
  2. No.4 (T) Leather Slings
    By Charlie in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 12-06-2012, 04:19 AM
  3. April Long Range Vintage Military Rifle match
    By Calfed in forum Swiss Rifles
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 05-07-2012, 06:47 PM
  4. Slings: Leather or Web?
    By Bob Womack in forum M1 Garand/M14/M1A Rifles
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: 12-14-2011, 09:48 PM
  5. Vintage Military Rifle Match, San Antonio 12/05/10
    By alamo308 in forum Milsurps General Discussion Forum
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 11-09-2010, 07:25 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks