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I have an early M1894 SRC in the 37XXX SNR that lettered as shipped with the Winchester Sling. The eyelets are still present, but the sling is long gone. Does anyone have an original Winchester Sling? Can you provide pictures of it?
Are these slings being accurately reproduced by anyone?
I don’t know of any reproductions
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
Henry Mero said
I don’t know of any reproductions
It’s the buckle that’s the problem–because the hooks have been repro’d, & any leather worker could make the strap. About the best you can do, without that buckle, is make a strap & attach it to the hooks by means of rivets, lacing, etc.; that’s what I did.
Tedk said
The repro hooks are very easily identified.
Very easily? Not the ones that Buckingham first had made 25 or more yrs ago. Of course they were hot blued, but rub that off & they look exactly like the ones in Henry’s photo. Sometime later Jeff’s Outfitters (actually his predecessor) began selling them, but no idea if they came from same source as Buckingham’s. Up to about 10 yrs ago they were common on ebay, so I’d guess they were being fabricated by different makers, & some I’ve seen weren’t well made.
But if you’re trying to make a replica sling for a gun with eyelets, what else can you do but make the best of what’s available? Or talk Henry into selling you his.
Many years ago, I added a copy of the sling used on the Henry Rifle, to my line of antique reproduction leather products. At the time, I bought 300 fish hook swivels from Sarco for .50 cents a piece. I bought all they had at that time, because I was told that would be the last batch. They never did get any more, until five or six years ago, then the price was around $21.00 each. I set aside 10 of my original batch, for my own use. Boy am I glad I did. Wish now I had kept more. As mention above, these are relatively easy to find, but very expensive. The leather sling is easy to make, since I have an original to use as a pattern piece. The hard part is the welded center bar slide. I have access to all kinds of saddlery and tack hardware, but nothing comes close to that slide and the way they are fabricated, makes it difficult to duplicate.
win4575 said
Many years ago, I added a copy of the sling used on the Henry Rifle, to my line of antique reproduction leather products. At the time, I bought 300 fish hook swivels from Sarco for .50 cents a piece. I bought all they had at that time, because I was told that would be the last batch.
That was a score! Any info from Sarco as to where they had obtained them? They were listed in Stoegers as recently as the ’45 ed., but gone by ’49, like many other pre-war products.
Henry Mero said
Nice SRC Henry. Does this letter with the sling ?
I’d really appreciate it if someone could post a pic or two of those repro swivels that are indistinguishable from original Winchester swivels.
Rick , yes it does
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
Henry Mero said
Rick , yes it does
Very nice SRC Henry.
I see the letter states screw eyes. Does this automatically mean that when screw eyes are listed on a letter, that the rifle or carbine also came with a sling with hooks?
And I would also like to see a comparison picture of the repro vs original hooks if anyone has pictures please.
Chris
A man can never have too many WINCHESTERS...
I don’t recall ever seeing a ’94 that actually mentioned a sling in the letter. I would only be taking it for granted that if a gun lettered with screw eyes or sling buttons that it have an accompanying sling. Pure speculation of course
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
Henry Mero said
I don’t recall ever seeing a ’94 that actually mentioned a sling in the letter. I would only be taking it for granted that if a gun lettered with screw eyes or sling buttons that it have an accompanying sling. Pure speculation of course
I have a semi deluxe model 1894 that letters with sling and swivel.
Very nice Al. And I would have to think scarce. Never seen one lettered & in original condition. Thanks for sharing. Awesome.
RickC
Bottom swivel on an original Winchester sling. Top swivel is a reproduction. The obvious difference is the sharper bend at the open end of the original. There are several other subtle differences also.
win4575 said
Bottom swivel on an original Winchester sling. Top swivel is a reproduction. The obvious difference is the sharper bend at the open end of the original. There are several other subtle differences also.
Thanks for posting. The hook itself is also much more refined and pleasing to the eye on the original, while the hook on the repro has a crude, blocky, unfinished look. The top of the ‘ball’ on the original is not solid and has a separate round piece of metal that is flush with the ball. Does the repro share this characteristic or is the top of the ball solid? Thanks again.
The fish hook is set into the ball in the same fashion as the original, which will allow it to turn smoothly. The shaft on the hook slides through the ball, peened over and nicely finished, just like the original.
Henry Mero said
Thanks for your very good reply and pics of original sling with attachment hardware! No doubt most sling leather is long gone, and only the hook and buckle hardware remain as unidentified “stuff”. I’m assuming that the leather and hardware is never marked “Winchester”.
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