Help with slings

[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.