Pre-WWII web slings, common, uncommon, rare or unobtainium?

[peregrinvs]

This was recently discussed on the Great War Forum and the consensus was that nobody had ever seen a definitely authentic WWI LE sling that was ink marked on the webbing - they were only stamped on the brass ends. I too wonder why WWI LE slings are so scarce other than perhaps almost all of them were used to destruction.

The cheaper display option is to find a sling with some natural age to it that has no legible post-WWI markings.

[Daan Kemp]

A LE sling has little or no provenance. Possibly the name or serial number of one of the previous owners. Used over and over until disposed of as US. Possibly WWI slings were still issued in WWII and after as they were still in stock, serviceable, and hadn't changed since WWI.

[Garandy]

Garandy, have you had a look at this?
Weapons: Slings

I have indeed and found it interesting. That was one of the few bits of info I found before I started this thread.

---------- Post added at 04:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:02 PM ----------

This was recently discussed on the Great War Forum and the consensus was that nobody had ever seen a definitely authentic WWI LE sling that was ink marked on the webbing - they were only stamped on the brass ends. I too wonder why WWI LE slings are so scarce other than perhaps almost all of them were used to destruction.

The cheaper display option is to find a sling with some natural age to it that has no legible post-WWI markings.

That begs the question, when did marking the metal cease and marking the webbing instead start getting phased in?

[mrclark303]

Extremely WW1 British 1913 Dated Canvas Sling - MJL Militaria

I'll just leave this 1913 (cough, cough) made example here, I'm going to go ahead and assume it was made at 13 minutes past 7 yesterday evening!

[Flying10uk]

Could it be very, late Indian?

[RCS]

I found a leather Lee Enfield sling dated 1919 on a early rifle. Do not here much about the leather ? Awhlie
back I sold a 1941 almost new leather sling for $55.00 call it the "Home Guard" sling. Some state there were
some Lend lease M1 rifles w ith these 1941 dated slings.

Will take a photo of the dated 1919 leather sling

[mrclark303]

Could it be very, late Indian?

I think so F10, as in made a few weeks ago!

---------- Post added at 09:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:38 AM ----------

I have a Cole Brothers 1916 dated leather sling on my 1917 Enfield SMLE

---------- Post added at 09:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:39 AM ----------

I have a Cole Brothers 1916 dated leather sling on my 1917 Enfield SMLE

[waco16]

Mick, out of curiosity, is your 1949 dated example ink stamped onto the webbing or stamped into the brass ends?

I've attached a couple of pictures of one of my slings - '37 dated on both brass ends, and ink dated on the webbing - interestingly 3 years later at 1940
Not a great picture of the ink marking, I'm afraid - its a lot clearer in the flesh!

[Nigel]

I have a spare M.E.Co 1936 sling (Mills Equipment Company) in usable condition.

[peregrinvs]

Finally tracked down a WWI dated sling for my 1913 Enfield SMLE that didn’t cost the earth. It had been dyed black (possibly indicating post-WWI Irish use) but I was able to remove it with Rit Color Remover. Note the maker name and date stamped on the brass ends and a government property / inspection mark inked on the webbing.