leather rifle sling

Original pre-WWI US Army/USMC M1903 Leather Sling for the M1903 Springfield – Marked: Rock Island Arsenal 1903 – VERY RARE. The sling is marked Rock Island Arsenal 1903. The marking are very faint but are readable. They are easier to see than they appear in the photo’s. This sling has the correct Blackened Brass hook. The sling is used, see photo’s for condition. The sling has both leather keeper. The leather is soft and supple. There is some minor wrinkling on the surface of the leather. No deep cracks or breaks. The leather has darken with age, but still retains that rich russet brown color. The sticting is all tight and intact. This is an Original Functional pre-WWI era Sling and would look great on a WWI era rifle. These early M1903 Slings are Very RARE. The M1903 sling was patterned after the M1887 Sling and was adopted to be used with the NEW M1903 Rifle. The sling was 48 long and had the same type of brass adjustment frog and button as the M1887 sling. The M1903 slings were dated (1903 & 1904 were observed) and all examples were believed to be made by Rock Island Arsenal. While marginally adequate as a carrying sling, it was not long enough to be useful as a shooting aid. The sling was replaced with the M1907 sling, which was used through WWI & WWII. NOTE: this is a collectible item, suitable for a correct historic display. It is NOT recommened for actual use. This is the sling that was commonly used on the M1917 Enfield, the M1 Garand, the M1903 Springfield, the M1903A3 Springfield and the M1941 Johnson Rifles. Check out my other items. The free listing tool. The item “Pre-WWI US ARMY M1903 Leather Sling M1903 Springfield Rifle R. I. A. 1903 RARE” is in sale since Saturday, October 10, 2015. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\WW I (1914-18)\Original Period Items\United States\Personal, Field Gear”. The seller is “koolstuff1958″ and is located in Henderson, Nevada. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• country: USA
• War time period: WWI 1914-1918
• description: M1903 Sling
• description 1`: M1903 Leather rifle sling
• Original or Reproduction: Original
• Time Period, War: pre-WWI before 1914