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I just picked this up for $5.00 at an out-of-the way little gun show in Carson, WA. There are no markings on the sling or buckle, but do the swivel hooks look like Winchester originals? Any idea of the maker of the sling? Regardless, I couldn’t pass it up for a measly $5.00. It sure looks good on my 1894 24″ takedown short rifle with sling eyes.
Don
Swivels definitely those used by factory, less sure about the strap itself, though the keeper with the staples looks right; keeper with round rivets may be replaced. Winchester straps typically used a different (patented) buckle, but as these were catalogued into the mid-’30s, it’s possible a different buckle may have been substitued later on.
But should note that Stevens & Marlin used same swivels (maker unknown), so there’s room for uncertainty, esp. since the buckle is questionable as being Win.
They look good to me, the sling also looks good, may be a newer one, Congrats, a nice deal.
clarence said
You just bought yourself a $200 (or more) original sling. Swivels definitely factory, less sure about the strap itself, though the keeper with the staples looks right; keeper with round rivets may be replaced. Earlier straps used a different buckle, but as these were catalogued into the mid-’30s, it’s not unreasonable to think a different buckle may have been adopted later on.
Wow!! Thanks Clarence. Funny thing is, I was disappointed by driving a 70 mile round- trip to a mediocre gun show at best. Most everything was a bunch garage sale type junk and I came across this sling on my way out the door.
Don
deerhunter said
Wow!! Thanks Clarence. Funny thing is, I was disappointed by driving a 70 mile round- trip to a mediocre gun show at best. Most everything was a bunch garage sale type junk and I came across this sling on my way out the door.
Best wait till you hear from JWA, our sling expert, but it was worth your 70 mile drive, I think.
I am not really a sling expert but I have done some research on the slings used on Winchester .22’s. Except for the buckle and the keeper with the round rivets (as Clarence mentioned) your sling looks identical to the Winchester 3260 Leather (carrying) sling strap. The vintage buckles I have seen on the 3260 strap were the roller style as opposed to the flat stamped style buckle on your sling. They were sewn on so not that easy to replace.
The 3260 sling was offered in the Winchester catalogs from 1897 until 1985 and is one of the oldest continuous accessories available for a Winchester rifle. The early roller buckles are stamped with the 1897 patent date on the roller, later buckles were unmarked.
Since I only researched the slings from 1897-1963 it is certainly possible your sling is a later version with a different buckle. It should also be noted that Winchester used at least 3 different suppliers for the slings over the years and those suppliers also provided slings to other firearm manufacturers so it may be one of those as well.
Regardless, you got a nice vintage sling with a set of sling hooks for FIVE DOLLARS! And, it does look right at home on your 94. That is a win everyday in my opinion.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
I am not sure why but I just happen to have a scruffy 3260 sling sitting on my desk right now so here is what the early buckle and sling hooks look like.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
JWA said
I am not really a sling expert but I have done some research on the slings used on Winchester .22’s. Except for the buckle and the keeper with the round rivets (as Clarence mentioned) your sling looks identical to the Winchester 3260 Leather (carrying) sling strap. The vintage buckles I have seen on the 3260 strap were the roller style as opposed to the flat stamped style buckle on your sling. They were sewn on so not that easy to replace.The 3260 sling was offered in the Winchester catalogs from 1897 until 1985 and is one of the oldest continuous accessories available for a Winchester rifle. The early roller buckles are stamped with the 1897 patent date on the roller, later buckles were unmarked.
Since I only researched the slings from 1897-1963 it is certainly possible your sling is a later version with a different buckle. It should also be noted that Winchester used at least 3 different suppliers for the slings over the years and those suppliers also provided slings to other firearm manufacturers so it may be one of those as well.
Regardless, you got a nice vintage sling with a set of sling hooks for FIVE DOLLARS! And, it does look right at home on your 94. That is a win everyday in my opinion.
Best Regards,
Thanks so much JWA! You are a wealth of information and I appreciate your assessment. I guess it’s one of those “being at the right place at the right time” kind of stories.
Don
Don,
The hooks look original Winchester to me. The sling appears to be one that was included with early Remington Model 700 rifles like the one I got when I bought my Remington new in 1974.
Al
tionesta1 said
The hooks look original Winchester to me. The sling appears to be one that was included with early Remington Model 700 rifles like the one I got when I bought my Remington new in 1974.
Al
Looks like the same strap & buckle to me. Do you mean that it came with your Rem, or did you buy it separately?
The swivels themselves can’t be positively identified as supplied by Win., as the same ones were used by several different makers.
tionesta1 said
Don,The hooks look original Winchester to me. The sling appears to be one that was included with early Remington Model 700 rifles like the one I got when I bought my Remington new in 1974.
Al
Thanks Al. That sling looks to be exactly the same as what I have. This 1894 24″ takedown short rifle should also look very familiar to you.
Don
clarence said
tionesta1 said
The hooks look original Winchester to me. The sling appears to be one that was included with early Remington Model 700 rifles like the one I got when I bought my Remington new in 1974.
Al
Looks like the same strap & buckle to me. Do you mean that it came with your Rem, or did you buy it separately?
The swivels themselves can’t be positively identified as supplied by Win., as the same ones were used by several different makers.
Yes Clarence, Remington supplied these slings, and quick-release swivels in the box with each model 700 BDL Custom Deluxe. I don’t know when they stopped including them.
deerhunter said
tionesta1 said
Don,
The hooks look original Winchester to me. The sling appears to be one that was included with early Remington Model 700 rifles like the one I got when I bought my Remington new in 1974.
Al
Thanks Al. That sling looks to be exactly the same as what I have. This 1894 24″ takedown short rifle should also look very familiar to you.
Don
Don,
Yes it does, glad you’re still enjoying it. That sling and hooks look great with the rifle.
Al
January 26, 2011
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Don,
As others have said, the hooks look like they may be Winchester but the sling itself is different than the ones I have or have observed on the earlier Win rifles. Like Jeff said, there certainly could have been other styles later on but the ones I’ve seen that match the catalog are like the pics below.
Either way, it really looks good on your rifle and in my opinion adds to the presentation of the rifle. I would have bought it as well and put it with one of mine that has the eyes. Great find!
Here’s an early one I have that letters with the rifle from 1900 –
~Gary~
Gary,
That is an awesome 1894 short rifle with a ton of cool extras…and they all letter! That sling is in amazing condition for being over 122 years old. Thanks for posting the pics.
Don
January 26, 2011
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deerhunter said
Gary,That is an awesome 1894 short rifle with a ton of cool extras…and they all letter! That sling is in amazing condition for being over 122 years old. Thanks for posting the pics.
Don
Thank you, sir.
The other one I have is in my signature pic with the little Deluxe SRR. Its way out of the letterable range though. I wish I could find more of those slings as they really compliment the guns. Cool extras.
~Gary~
deerhunter said That sling is in amazing condition for being over 122 years old.
It surely is. I’ve owned leather artifacts not nearly as old (such as WW I slings) that are either so hard & brittle they’d snap like a soda cracker if they were bent, or so soft & decayed they’d pull apart like wet paper if stretched. Condition of old leather depends both on the specific tanning process used on it, & how it was treated & stored after if was made. Treatment with animal-derived oils like neatsfoot is one of the most injurious, as over time the oil breaks down & becomes acidic.
The 1961 “Winchester Parts Catalog” pictures a sling similar to the one in question listed and pictured with other available slings. I believe the sling in question only came with one keeper and that would explain the extra keeper. I have a very late Model 92 (Serial #1006356) that has a similar sling, but the front swivel is integral with the fore end cap and the stock swivel is similar to a Model 70, 54, etc. swivels. My sling has the “WINCHESTER” Logo stamped in the leather. RDB
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