BT&BCO marked M1907 leather sling

[RCS]

I have a M1907 leather sling with brass hooks and large stamped BT&BCO now is
this a WW1 sling or pre WW2 sling ?

most WW1 M1907 slings also have the date and inspectors initalsdscn1349_0011.jpgdscn1348_0010.jpg

[Johnny P]

To the best of my knowledge there were no Model 1907 slings manufactured between 1918 and 1942. Such huge quantities were ordered and delivered for WWI that they continued to be used right up until WWII.

I have an as unissued Model 1903 Springfield that was a NRA/DCM Sales rifle from June of 1936 that has a like new condition Model 1907 sling dated 1918.

I also have a B.T. & B. CO. sling that does not appear to have a date stamp or inspector initials.

[clintonhater]

most WW1 M1907 slings also have the date and inspectors initals

Most is quite right, but most isn't all; in the rush to take the peacetime Army to a war footing, would a batch of undated (for whatever reason), but otherwise perfectly acceptable slings be rejected? The urgency of wartime conditions usually creates a tolerance for exceptions to normal protocol.

[Tom Doniphon]

BT&B CO. is Belber Trunk & Bag Co. of Philadelphia, Pa. who was a WWI manufacturer of leather sling parts. BT&B CO is one of several leather manufacturers listed in the House of Representatives War Expenditures Hearings that were held after WWI in 1921.

[Hecklerusp45]

I have a M1907 sling that appears to be marked OS with 1917 under the OS. Any idea who made that one?

[Johnny P]

Most is quite right, but most isn't all; in the rush to take the peacetime Army to a war footing, would a batch of undated (for whatever reason), but otherwise perfectly acceptable slings be rejected? The urgency of wartime conditions usually creates a tolerance for exceptions to normal protocol.

By the time they got WW1 production rolling, the war was over. Something like 2.2 million Model 1911 pistols were on order with several new contractors, but with war's end the contracts were cancelled before any were delivered.