Help with slings

[Colin Alford]

Gents,

It seems that my previous link to the Karkee Web site is not working well.

The 1944 Mk V Sten parts list can be found near the bottom of this page:

http://www.karkeeweb.com/patterns/19...net_frogs.html

There are also images from a British 1951 Mk V Sten parts list. Those images include the nomenclature for the MkII and MK III Slings, which show the VAOS numbers and drawing numbers (the drawing numbers match those listed above by Rob).

My current thoughts are that the slings in question (short and non-adjustable) are the first pattern of Sten sling (VAOS B3 BE 8574). The fact that the surviving examples are a few inches shorter than the 36” described in the British 1942 Parts ID list could have been due to a Canadian production error. There might have been a mistake where the webbing was cut to the “finished length”, and then when it was folded and riveted, it was too short. It seems that this style of sling in unissued condition, was (at least in the past) relatively plentiful on this side of the pond. Maybe it was recognized that they were too short and were purposefully not issued (ideally this would have been caught prior to receiving an acceptance stamp).

I looked through some of the CMHQ files on Sten guns, but they don’t include much correspondence regarding Canadian production (other than quantities and when to expect shipments). There were a number of documents regarding how motorcyclists should carry Stens. The attached document states “The provision of a lengthened sling for the Sten was approved in September 1942 and is now standard”.

[Ed Storey]

Colin, what Sten sling quantities were quoted in the documents? The question I have is why do these shortened 'slings' lack a manufacturer/date stamp; as was this stamp not added at the end of the production process? I cannot think of many pieces which only have a 'C Broad Arrow' and as it is, these were parts for other major assemblies.

[Perry Kitson]

Colin,

32" including the fittings. Not adjustable.

[Colin Alford]

Originally Posted by Ed Storey

Colin, what Sten sling quantities were quoted in the documents? The question I have is why do these shortened 'slings' lack a manufacturer/date stamp; as was this stamp not added at the end of the production process? I cannot think of many pieces which only have a 'C Broad Arrow' and as it is, these were parts for other major assemblies.

Ed,

The quantities I mentioned were monthly quantities of Canadian produced Stens that were being shipped, not sling quantities.

I just captured these images of a couple of slings that had been packed in a box for approx 25 years. A 1942 Z.L.&T non-adjustable, and a 1944 British (hard to read the maker) adjustable.

[rob love]

Note that the shortened Cdn slings have a D ring on the end where the Adjustable ones have an oval ring. Perhaps this is the reason they cut off the stitched portion at that end in order to replace it with a D ring.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Like, at some point you just have to attach them to Stens and see if they ft.

[Colin Alford]

Originally Posted by rob love

Note that the shortened Cdn slings have a D ring on the end where the Adjustable ones have an oval ring. Perhaps this is the reason they cut off the stitched portion at that end in order to replace it with a D ring.

Rob,

My interpretation is that these short slings are indeed the first type “BE 8574”, and that the Canadian examples that we are discussing are as originally produced (not shortened).

My interpretation is that the D ring is correct for the first type slings, but this was changed to an oval ring for the Mk II slings.

Every image that I have found of a non-adjustable sling (both British, and Canadian) show a D ring, whereas the adjustable slings (both British, and Canadian) have the oval rings.

See these links for non-adjustable slings with D-rings:
Scroll down past the manuals, a Z.L.&T Ltd (no apparent date), and a closeup on a Z.L.&T Ltd 1942:
http://www.machinegunboards.com/foru...howtopic=10754

No apparent makers mark (but likely British due to stitched rather than riveted construction):
https://www.ima-usa.com/products/ori...18801712005189

A British M.E. Co. 1942:
https://dbgmilitaria.co.uk/shop/inde...oducts_id=5921

Scroll down to post number 63, another Z.L.&T. Ltd 1942:
https://www.cdnmilitarycollectors.co...-with-pictures

A British M.E. Co. (Unknown date):
https://militaria.co.uk/product/brit...justable-type/

The other piece of evidence is the illustration in the 1942 parts list which shows a D-ring.

[Ed Storey]

The evidence has me convinced - the web sling in question is a BE 8574 Mk I Sten Sling!

[rob love]

Well presented Colin. You have changed Ed's mind...not an easy thing to do. And I can continue to enjoy my small pile of these as sten slings.

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Colin Alford

Gents,

It seems that this style of sling in unissued condition, was (at least in the past) relatively plentiful on this side of the pond. Maybe it was recognized that they were too short and were purposefully not issued (ideally this would have been caught prior to receiving an acceptance stamp).

Most of the ones I have are used and dirty. When I get to the gun room next I'll see if there are any makers marks.