Tell me about this sling!

[rayg]

In conclusion, and my opinion is in as much as there are no obsolete slings having the same number and pattern of holes as this sling has. Even if sections of older slings, like from the Krag/TD slings which have a plain length with no holes that could be used, the question remains, why weren't the same number and the same pattern of holes stamped in those sections according to the 1907 specs?
Also the sling is about 2" shorter then the 07 sling as well as the extra holes, also the sling has a different more squared off cut on the end instead of a more rounded end cut. And then there's the double RI and date stamps on the sling whereas the 07 sling has only one stamp. So in light of these factors I feel it is a completely different pattern sling and is most likely a prototype/trials sling which was made by adding an additional claw fastener, the 1903 sling had only one fastener, and adding additional holes. Eventually the holes were reduced and the length increased slightly, and it became the 1907 pattern sling. Ray

[rayg]

Just to clarify the two locations of the RI stamps. The stamp on the short strap, is stamped right next to the fastener as shown. But the stamp on the long strap is not stamped next to the fastener, but is stamped on the opposite plain end and about 10" in from the end and in the space were there are no holes. Ray

[Dick Hosmer]

How about a "custom" sling made for one of the Army rifle teams, perhaps for use in the back position? Apparently, when the sling was in transition from being strictly a carrying strap to actually becoming a component of the marksmanship program, a lot of latitude occured in how/where it was fastened to the rifle and/or wrapped around the firer.

[rayg]

Love these mystery items as they make good discussions. Dick, my take is that I think there's maybe too many changes from the early 1903 pattern sling to be just a special sling for the target shooters. But I'm sure you're correct in that the arsenal was trying to placate both the military and the target shooters. So I believe the arsenal put together a prototype sling to satisfy both by adding an additional adjuster/fastener to enhance shooting support and a lot of extra adjustment holes. Probably that many holes were found to be unnecessary and the number of holes reduced and the sling lengthened a couple inches and eventually all of these changes were approved and adopted by the army as the model 1907 sling. Does that make sense? Ray

[rayg]

Looks like all the photos disappeared and am unable to repost them or for that matter any photos, Ray