If I have the time later I'll take some proper pictures of a 3269 sling.  In the meantime, I think these pictures are Jeff's.  These are of the M1907 style 1 1/4" Target Rifle sling, BUT the details are common to all of the Winchester Army Type and NRA Improved slings.

The key features are: 1) Single embossed edge on the leather strap; 2) Two rivet frogs with rivets EXACTLY as shown; 3) Two blue "diamond" shaped staples in each leather keeper (no regular staples or stitching); and, 4) NO maker's mark.  Winchester used several leather goods suppliers over the years, but prior to 1964 they didn't even put "Winchester" on their slings.  Any sling, whatever it looks like, that has a brand stamped on it was not a Winchester sling.

As for finding some...  The challenge is that they are NOT marked.  So mostly you have to know what you're looking for, since the Seller usually will not.  Of course this does make them no more expensive than a comparable brand name sling.  Most of the (probably Winchester) ones I've found came from eBay.  Of course I don't think I even have a "new" or "mint" one on any of my M70s, let alone any "spares"... 

Best,

Lou

Lou, thank you for the link, and affirmative regarding your recommendation for each rifle (To confirm, both rifles would be correct with No. 3269 slings).   

Does anyone have a pair of New No. 3269 slings they're willing to sell, or any tips on where to look?  As it is, I don't even know how to identify a No. 3269 sling (I can't find any information on these)!  Does anyone have any photos?

Offers accepted via Private message as well.

As Bob said, the Standard Grade Model 70 was not sold with a sling as standard equipment.  However the Super Grade was, so it gives something to go on.

First, if you haven't already found it, I suggest you look at this thread. While the initial query related to the Target rifles (which were also supplied with slings), JWA gives some excellent information about Winchester factory slings (with pictures!!!).

https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/correct-sling-for-pre-war-m70-target-rifle/

As for what sling came with the Super Grade, it changed over time.  The pre-war catalogs describe the sling as the "NRA Improved Shooting Gun Sling" (No. 3269).  This was basically a one-piece Whelen type sling with a single frog.  In the 1939 catalog where you could buy the sling separately, No. 3269 was described as "especially adapted to the Model 70 rifle".  Just below they state that the "No. 3268 NRA Improved Gun Sling is of the same style as the No. 3269 excepting it is approximately 8" shorter than the No. 3269. The No. 3268 sling is standard equipment on the Winchester Model 64 Deer Rifle..."

So that would answer your question for a pre-war M70 or M64 Deer Rifle.  But your guns are from the 1950s...  For the Super Grade Model 70 (at least), it changed.  Between 1946 and 1955 the Super Grade was described (and pictured) with a "1" Army Type leather Sling Strap".  This was the M1907 pattern sling, two-piece, two frogs.  Between 1956 and 1959 (last year for Super Grades except Africans), the catalogs only say "1" leather strap" without specifying the type.  In the last catalogs (1958-59) the Super Grades are pictured with the sliding buckle leather "carry strap" type sling that had been introduced with the African in 1956. 

So my GUESS for what would be appropriate as far as Winchester-recommended sling for a M70 would be: (Pre-War) 1" NRA Improved Sling No. 3269; (1946-1955) Army Type (M1907 style) Sling; (1956-1959) African style "carry strap".  I do not know about the post-war M64 Deer Rifles...  My GUESS would be that a 1955 M64 Deer Rifle would have come with the same M1907 pattern sling being supplied with M70 Super Grades at the time.

As far as other suppliers active at the time, the closest I've seen to the Winchester slings (which were NEVER marked as to maker) is the Brauer Bros M1907 style sling.  Very similar, but marked by the maker...

Hope some of this helps,

Lou

• NIB 1951 Model 70 Standard Rifle in 270 Win (Pre64win.com-authenticated)
• Unfired 1955 Model 64 Deer Rifle in 30-30 Win (Bert Hartman-authenticated)

Photos of both rifles have been posted to my Google Drive; links below (Serial Numbers have been blurred).

Model 70

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MVJyMZhrChU-okgIGPm9IzxWiqnUYiQy?usp=sharing

Model 64

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ROgXLh5ktZVvuIpwf9ZXZ2gQ7mzGKd2M?usp=sharing

I am aware of the Winchester "factory supplied" slings (both the Carrying Strap and Army Type M1907), but I am quite ignorant regarding the plethora of commercial equivalents available during that time.

What would be the most appropriate sling for each rifle?  Could this Model 70 have been ordered with a Winchester "factory supplied" sling?  It is my understanding that this Model 64 should have come with a Winchester "factory supplied" 1" Army Type M1907, but obviously, my rifle's has been lost to time (at least it still has its quick detachable swivels). 

No matter what, due to the New nature of these rifles, it goes without saying that they deserve New slings that are not only period Correct, but Correct for the rifle.  I understand that sourcing still-new out-of-production items from a bygone era is not easy; however, if New slings are within the realm of possibility, how often do they come up for sale, and for how much (I would be willing to wait for New or Mint over Used if realistically plausible)?

I look forward to all the experts chiming in, learning more about these iconic rifles and their associated equipment... and hopefully getting these rifles properly outfitted!

-Para