For your consideration is this genuine 101 year old , USGI , World War I, M1907 pattern, Springfield rifle leather sling, manufactured by W. This style sling was standard issue for use on the WWI U. Springfield M1903 rifle, M1917 Enfield rifle, M1918 BAR and the Winchester M97 combat “Trench” shotgun. These leather slings also saw service during WWII on the U. M1903A3, M1903A4, M1918 BAR and M1 Garand 30.06 caliber battle rifles as well as all makers of combat “Trench” shotguns of the period that were issued slings. The leather sling is clearly stamped W. The sling was manufactured by the Westboro Trunk & Bag Company W. Owned by a L. Carney located at 50 Milk Street in Westboro, M. Assachusetts and was a small (65 employees) WWI military leather equipment supply contractor at the time. In addition, although somewhat faint by age, the three stamped military Inspector’s initials appear to read ” REW ” and are located immediately under the year 1918. Please refer to the description photos for more close-up details about what I have described. The M1907 sling measures approximately 1.25″ wide and between approximately 27.25 and 27.50″ in overall length in its current configuration. The leather remains in good condition with a slight set from having been affixed to a M1903 rifle for nearly the past century. As is commonly found on authentic WWI period pieces, the leather has darkened a bit with age but retains an overall deep dark brown color with some of the sling’s original russet brown color remaining within the protected covered areas of the leather straps. The surface of the leather does have a few spots of minor surface wrinkling and minor surface cracking but these are mostly located around the flex points and/or between a few of the adjustment holes. The front loop where the sling’s “long strap” goes through the brass “D” ring, although pliable, the leather is a little stiff from having remained “set” in place upon the M1903 rifle for nearly ten decades. Please refer to the description photos for more details about the condition of the leather sling and what I have described. The sling is complete and retains its heavy “tight” factory stitching and both its “upper” and “lower” sewn (not stapled) leather keeper loops. The sling has the proper shape and number adjustment holes and the correct pattern “upper steel ” adjustment claw hook and “lower brass ” adjustment claw hook. I n the slings present condition, the leather remains flexible and supple for being over 100 years old and I believe it is still a functional and very attractive looking piece of USGI equipment. However, the aforementioned notwithstanding, in my personal opinion, because the sling is over 100 years old, is a genuine piece of antique U. Military history and retains a significant monetary value as a genuine artifact in of itself, I would recommend this piece NOT be used for actual field use but rather for accurate historical display purposes only. Overall, this original piece is a beautiful example of an authentic WWI period USGI rifle sling and it will make an excellent upgrade for any U. Issue WWI or WW2 rifle in need of a genuine period leather sling. The item “USGI M1907 WWI 1918 W. T. & B. CO. Leather Rifle Sling M1903 1917 M1 M97 Shotgun” is in sale since Thursday, September 19, 2019. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\WW I (1914-18)\Original Period Items\United States\Personal, Field Gear”. The seller is “montehouse” and is located in Pinehurst, Texas. This item can be shipped to United States.
- Modified Item: No
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
