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BJ72 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BJ72 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Slings
    Posted: April 11 2022 at 10:04pm
The leather sling was still produced and issued to Australian troops in World War 2. The webbing sling was produced and issued in Australia as well and was far more common in Australian issue by World War 2. That said, a leather sling on a World War 2 era Lithgow SMLE is still period correct. There’s plenty of examples of World War 2 dated Australian made leather slings out there.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote A square 10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 11 2022 at 8:37pm
for the OP , there was a jungle sling for the no5 rifle , it was a canvas face with a rubber type material sandwiched between that hardened over time so not many survive and most of those that do are fixed in whatever position they were in when hardening , a correct sling but not a practical one and not easily found in usable condition let alone installable on your rifle , 

the later leather question , it was common to issue outdated but still serviceable leather slings to home guard use in WWII not sure how it went in WWI as these leather ones were not as outdated at that point , i cannot swear to its authenticity or origin from the photos posted , but it would be period correct for preWWI and WWI era if it is , typical issue for long lees and martinis 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Strangely Brown Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 11 2022 at 11:28am
One anomaly with British slings is that they do not come under the same Pattern year of design that personal webbing does; in British service the correct nomenclature is, "Sling, Webbing, Rifle".
Even the 1970's nylon slings for the SLR carried the same identifying title.

There is, (or was) I believe a sub heading giving a clue to the end user, i.e. Royal Air Force, etc. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AussieShooter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 13 2021 at 5:26pm
Hi Marco - that's really interesting.   With this lead I'll do some research and see what else I canm find.   Nothing on the rifle suggests it was ever issued to NZ, but the sling could have been picked up along the way.  Fantastic.  Thanks for the input.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Marco1010 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 13 2021 at 5:02pm
i'm referring to the leather slings. not the webbing ones.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Marco1010 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 13 2021 at 5:00pm
hard to say, but that type of sling is common on early lee enfield's here in New Zealand, and also on home guard requisitioned rifles during ww2.  Seem to recall they were locally produced to a war department pattern.  So were probably older obsolete stock by ww2 period.  I have 2 exactly the same.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AussieShooter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 13 2021 at 2:54pm
I have another sling question.  This was included on a 1941 MkIII Lithgow I purchased - I have shared photo's of the rifle previously - it's the one with the suncorite type black paint on it.   As far as we could tell it was not FTRd by India/Pakistan, but the paint was a little baffling.  This is an all leather sling, no buckles or straps like the military style - only the shoelace style straps to secure it.  It has no markings that I can see.  Is this a non-descript aftermarket sling, or maybe something interesting?  Thanks for looking.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 29 2021 at 10:26pm
Thanks for your interest Aussie! 
I was fortunate to  get a copy of the liberation photos via a friend of the elderly gentleman who has the originals.
I have a No4 MK1 that was part of a parachutage to the local resistance. They dropped so many weapons during the days before D-day; there's probably still slot stashed away in barn's and cellars.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 29 2021 at 3:50pm
Yes the right sided image.
some may be flat, some rounded but that's it.
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AussieShooter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 29 2021 at 2:00pm
You are right Zed, I do shoot the rifle and enjoy showing any one who is interested!  Living history.

Separately, I saw some photographs you posted on another thread of showing locations from WWII then and now.   They were absolutely fantastic.   Talk about living history!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 28 2021 at 10:37pm
I think you have to oil it regularly to get the colour closer to the rest. Or stain it. Don't bother sanding it's part of the history now!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AussieShooter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 28 2021 at 8:32pm
thanks gents, I’ll reinstall and at least mitigate the damage already caused. Next advice is how to repair.   I’ll post a comment on the threads about stock oiling. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote A square 10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 28 2021 at 8:14pm
your rivets look good , dont think it a reproduction as i see remenants of blanco but obviously i could be wrong on that , claws out as shamu said - one hand slack at the butt and take up the balance at the forearm , your claws even appear to be correctly oriented in the right photo 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AussieShooter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 28 2021 at 2:39pm
Thanks Shamu, turning the sling around seems so obvious now you mention it.  Drats.  I think the damage may have been done before I got the rifle, but I have not helped it any.  I attached some photo's if you wouldn't mind confirming the "smooth" side looks like it should (the rounded tops of the rivets on the right side).  Next question is how to repair the damage.  Ouch.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 28 2021 at 11:09am
A "real" sling will have rivets with 2 distinct sides. a smooth side (which should face the wood) & a rough side which should face away from the stock when installed. The "hooks" should be on the outside of the outside strap.

Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AussieShooter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 27 2021 at 6:26pm
I have a sling question.   I have what I believe is a reproduction tan sling on my 1945 Lithgow.  It looks great and works as it should.   However, the brass/metal ends are rubbing on the stock, actually rubbing into the wood, leaving a small but visible scuff mark.  Actually, more than a scuff, bit of a gouge. It is the back end of the rivets that seem to be causing this. 

A review of other photos of slings suggests they all have the same (or similar) design.  I don't like it and wrapped some tape around it as a short term fix.   Also, I have seen the same scuff mark on other (not all) rifles.  However, is this normal, or should I upgrade to a better sling?
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