Another WWII USMC leather sling surfaces...

[Fred]

And THIS sling appears to me to have been made by the same Marine base saddle maker that made my other mint sling. Actually, like the other Mint sling, this sling appears to have not been used. Possibly it too was in storage and sold as surplus like the other. Like my other sling, the leather on this sling appears to be in unused condition. Like on my other sling, the brass claws are unworn and have a beautiful mustard patina. Possibly this identical patina on both is actually an applied chemical finish on the brass that was desirable for the Marine Corps. Like on my other sling, the Round holes on this sling appear to have not been used. The leather keepers are exactly the same width, and have the same type of staple on the backsides.
I really believe that I've found a matching pair from the same Marine Corps saddle maker.
Unlike my first mint sling, this sling has a darker finish to the leather. The first one has a brown tone to it.
However, this new sling is actually in the same Minty condition as the first sling I found.
The first minty sling I found is the one in the foreground of the first photo. The other one is the sling I just obtained yesterday.


I guess that I'll stick it away with the other mint USMC sling and the USMC 1903 rifle case from Barstow. There's a Marine out there somewhere who'll be wanting this stuff.

http://www.jouster.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=34561&stc=1

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[Fred]

http://www.jouster.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=34566&stc=1

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[cplnorton]

You must be a natural magnet for these. lol I'm always looking for them, but never see them. The only one I have was on a Marine Garand bringback I have.

But yeah very nice!

[Fred]

The Marine Corps had the right idea in having these slings made thicker than other 1907 slings. These are really Beefy.

[louis]

I just bought one with another sling. Every time I see one I'm outbid on it. I was lucky this time around as nobody noticed. Got the both of them for s great price.

[Fred]

This rifle case is actually too short for a Garand I believe. I think it must've been strictly for a 1903 Springfield. Marine Corps Supply Company. Barstow, California. A Marine supply sergeant sold it to me for $5.00. in 1981.
I used to play Golf out at their Barstow course. It was well kept back then.

http://www.jouster.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=34576&stc=1

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[Fred]

danco101 (http://www.jouster.com/forums/member.php?5666-danco101)
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"what markings are on the sling? I have several that are thicker than the others, so what should I be looking for?
Thanks
Dan in FL, Semper Fi!"

Dan, there are no markings or stamps on any of the USMC slings. These were made by the post saddle makers on the west coast Marine Corps bases or posts or whatever they are. These saddlemakers where employed by the Marines at a time when the USMC had horses. The Marines knew that their saddlemakers cold produce a better 1907 sling and so they did just that.

All USMC slings are made of thick saddle leather.
All slings are unmarked
All slings have keepers that retain the remains of staples on their backs. These staples are in conjunction with sewing of the leather.
All slings have a unique set of holes in their short section. These are Two sets of holes towards each end of the strap, not continuous sets of holes down the length like on all other 1907 slings. Look at the photo's and you'll see the difference.

I understand that this type of sling was produced in the 1920's and 1930's.

If you'll do a Search on this site on "USMC slings", you'll see the threads that have been posted on the subject. They cover a lot of ground, especialy Richard Turner's posts!

[TDP0311]

On the more used ones I've had, a warping/curvature is prone to develop. The sling is totally fine and functional itself, but the warping is quite noticeable.
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[Fred]

I believe if the slings have been stored for years in a box or somewhere where they've been allowed to lay twisted and bunched up and grow stiff, the thicker leather will need to be treated with Pecard antique leather dressing so that it can straighten out with use.