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…..on a lighter note. I have an on-going debate with my buddies as whether to display my rifles with, or without a vintage/period sling. I always try to find a correct sling for my rifles (assuming it has studs and swivels). Thoughts??
I am not a sling lover. To me they don’t make the gun look better. Whenever I see a rifle for sale with sling studs/swivels or a sling, I usually am not interested because I am not aware of what type of sling stud/swivel that the gun should have had from the factory, nor do I know exactly where they should have been located on the gun or the type of sling that is correct. Lots of technical data involved in this area. If a rifle has sling studs and they are right and correct and someone who knows has verified that, I’m ok with that, but no sling please. Just my opinion of course. Peter
I guess I’m on the other end of the spectrum. I collect ’73,s and ’76,s and I’m drawn to those guns with factory sling swivels. I think they add a lot to the look of these rifles. However, I do not display my sling swivel guns with a sling. I’ve tried that, but the way I have my rifles displayed on the wall, the sling often gets in the way.
I used to do displays of US martial arms, 03’s, Garands, shotguns, etc. and I always strived to have the best and correct slings on them. They were a part of the history. Not too hard to find US M1907 slings, but it is very difficult to find vintage Winchester slings of just about any era. I vote for the slings, providing they are nice and of the correct period. Big Larry
Big Larry said
I used to do displays of US martial arms, 03’s, Garands, shotguns, etc. and I always strived to have the best and correct slings on them. They were a part of the history. Not too hard to find US M1907 slings, but it is very difficult to find vintage Winchester slings of just about any era. I vote for the slings, providing they are nice and of the correct period. Big Larry
That’s my friends argument, that they get in the way and are “sloppy”. To me, if a gun originally was set up to accept a sling, then it should be diplayed as such. I do have a number of guns without studs, of which I leave as-is.
I vote for the sling if period correct a set of supergrade swivels look naked without a appropriate sling. Original slings are out there but are a challenge to find.
If its got the sling studs/eyes and if you can find the right hooks/swivels for it, then thats fine unless you want to take it that extra step and add the leather or an original sling assembly, all the better. Depends on how picky you are. If it does have a sling, if displaying, would cinch the sling to where its tight and not sagged.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
I have mixed feelings on the topic. I’ve added some vintage slings to a few lever rifles (e.g. equipped with factory sling eyes) and as I suggested, I’m neither totally happy nor totally unhappy with the result.
Big Larry said
I vote for the slings, providing they are nice and of the correct period.
So do I. Adds immensely to any gun, I think.
Finding an original one that’s not deteriorated can’t be easy, but the type shown in the catalog for hunting rifles is so simple in construction any good saddle maker can easily replicate it.
The correct sling is hard to replicate as the coil wired buckle cannot be found to the best of my knowledge. Please advise if l am wrong and where they can be purchased. old slings can be reconditioned but like any thing Is not a overnight procedure.
Tom Sterr said
The correct sling is hard to replicate as the coil wired buckle cannot be found to the best of my knowledge.
Should have said “simulate,” rather than replicate, as far as the buckle is concerned; though several types of common harness buckles are similar in function.
I’ve tried many times to rejuvenate old, deteriorated, (i.e., rotten) leather, but if it has decomposed due to age & the acids produced when oils applied to the leather turn rancid, restoring it to anything like its original cond. is a lost cause.
The rifles I’ve tried it on have tended to be pieces that are more on the weathered side. Adding a vintage sling which shows a similar amount of age has worked ok. Something that looks like it has been with the rifle the whole time can present as a pleasing combination. Likewise, the same thing with a vintage and weathered scabbard.
Here’s one with some old leather – although not as old as the rifle. Looks ok to me.
Looks exactly like the sling on my M69-A Match Rifle and my 1956 vintage M75 Target rifle, right down to the staples on the keepers. Big Larry
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