[clamdigger]

I have some questions about K31 slings. What were the various manufacturers and dates of manufacturers? Should I try to match the date on the sling with the date of the rifle? I have seen some unused slings on ebay and was wondering when those were made. Also I have seen light colored slings and dark slings. Is there any significance to that other than differences in leather?

I bought some K31 slings lately at gunshows and cleaned them up. Some are really dirty. They are usually between $10 - $15. I wonder what they sell for in Europe? I would like to get as many variations and dates as possible since it is a cheap form of collecting. Any information on sling variations would be appreciated.

 

[Guisan]

Leather gear was made by saddlers from allover Switzerland, they stamped their name, place and the year on it and the military added a acceptance stamp later.
From what I know the last military K31 slings were made in the early sixties

Guisan.

 

[clamdigger]

Are there any rare saddlers or years for slings? I am assuming since the sling makers were independent of the rifle manufacturers the year for the sling did not match the year for the rifle. With M1 Carbines, the WWII slings are worth more than Vietnam era slings or obviously more than reproductions. I will try to take an inventory of my slings and get some pictures posted.

 

[Perplexed]

I was wondering about this topic myself! Namely, was there a tendency to equip K31's with slings made in the same region as where a particular K31's "owner" was stationed? Or were the slings all sent to the factory and paired up randomly with K31's as the latter came off the production line? If the latter, were the slings usually stamped the same year as the K31, or was there a delay one way or the other?

 

[Guisan]

Are there any rare saddlers or years for slings? I am assuming since the sling makers were independent of the rifle manufacturers the year for the sling did not match the year for the rifle. With M1 Carbines, the WWII slings are worth more than Vietnam era slings or obviously more than reproductions. I will try to take an inventory of my slings and get some pictures posted.

LOL well start researching this yourself and let me know...

Best wishes

Guisan.

 

[TheGreenMan]

If you have a 1938 dated sling let me know, I have been looking for one.

 

[Bob In St. Louis]

I will have to look at what I have in stock - I have around 17 or 18 of these slings left, dates ranging from 1920s to late 1950s. I have an ad up in the Trader Forum.

 

[TheGreenMan]

I will have to look at what I have in stock - I have around 17 or 18 of these slings left, dates ranging from 1920s to late 1950s. I have an ad up in the Trader Forum.

Didn't I already ask you and you said you didn't? Or am I losing my mind once again?

 

[Bob In St. Louis]

I just picked up another 10 slings, and haven't had a chance to go through them yet.

 

[TheGreenMan]

Ah, so I did and I am but you will and you can.... XD

 

[Bob In St. Louis]

Well, it looks like I have the following dates:

1925
1927
1939
1941
1943 (2)
1944
1945 (2)
1946
1947
1952 (2)
1955 (3) - but one of the 1955 dated ones already spoken for.