Viking Guy
03-08-2015, 08:17
My wife and I were out riding around yesterday and she spotted a newly opened antique store in what had been until recently a feed store. I was finding nothing of interest until I spotted a toy wooden rifle hanging back in a corner. What caught my attention was the sling...it was a very nice WWII era 1907 supple leather sling unmarked but with correct brass claws. My intent was to buy the toy and salvage the sling for either a Garand or Springfield. Then, I noticed the buttplate had Parris-Dunn stamped on it. I purchased the toy for $25.00.
As it turns out, it appears to be an early post WWII Parris-Dunn Victory Trainer standard model. The "receiver/bolt/rear sight" are all wood and immobile. The front sight is sheet metal. In my limited research, these sold for $2.75 when new with the 1907 leather sling as standard and were used for drill teams and/or honor guards well before the time when 03's and 03A3's were released for ROTC's and VFW's, etc. I suppose at a distance they could pass for the real deal. As a note, this is not the dummy trainer used in boot camps with operable bolts and trigger clicks.
Rather than separate the sling as intended, I will probably just leave the piece together and enjoy it for what it is...
As it turns out, it appears to be an early post WWII Parris-Dunn Victory Trainer standard model. The "receiver/bolt/rear sight" are all wood and immobile. The front sight is sheet metal. In my limited research, these sold for $2.75 when new with the 1907 leather sling as standard and were used for drill teams and/or honor guards well before the time when 03's and 03A3's were released for ROTC's and VFW's, etc. I suppose at a distance they could pass for the real deal. As a note, this is not the dummy trainer used in boot camps with operable bolts and trigger clicks.
Rather than separate the sling as intended, I will probably just leave the piece together and enjoy it for what it is...