Greek leather Garand slings for $1 each, buy them or not ?

[Kosciusko]

I have an opportunity to buy these for $1 each, plus shipping.

That's the good part.

The bad part is that they are culls, and are missing the keeper.

The good part is that they have the rest of the hardware, which is worth more than $1, plus I have  a source for  mil-spec keepers.

What is your opinion on using them as cheap loaners  for new shooters?

Kosciusko

[eaglescouter]

It sounds like a deal.

But other than the missing keeper, why are they culls?

[Kosciusko]

the reason for cull was that the complete ones were cleaned up and sold for $13, these are missing the keeper and the leather and metal need cleaning. 

As loaners, i may slap some  leather lotion on them and wipe the crud  off the metal.  I care that it functions as a sling, not how pretty it is.  When the leather gives out, the parts go into the spares bin.

What's the opinion on teaching newbies the basics with a leather sling?




from the ad:

"I have some Greek leather Garand slings that are MISSING the metal "keeper" or sling adjuster. These do have the rear sling swivel hook. They are the same quality as the "cull" slings, or better. I will sell these in lots of at least 10, plus Priority Shipping, or in I will fill up a medium USPS Priority Flat Rate box for $40 shipped. I can fit between 30-35 slings in the box, depending on the thickness of the slings. The rear sling swivel hook is worth more than a $1, but I need to move these."

I also have a few "cull" slings, which have uncleaned metal and leather. The leather may be worn. These are $4 each."

the pic  shows darker leather, used but not  rotten

"Original Greek M1 Rifle Sling. About identical to the US M1 Web sling, but in leather. Hardware on these slings are recovered USGI parts from unserviceable M1 Slings.
description: "


i'm wondering, did the CMP offer these at some  point, or were they a bulk commercial import?

Kosciusko

[eaglescouter]

Something is wrong here.

Leather slings do not use a metal keeper.
Nor are they the same in design as a web sling.

[Kosciusko]

Something is wrong here.

Leather slings do not use a metal keeper.
Nor are they the same in design as a web sling.

here's pics:

Garand sling, reported  being 55 inches long

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/domerdad4/001-11.jpg

Cavalry sling

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/domerdad4/002-10.jpg


pile of slings

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/domerdad4/002-6_zpsa1c1ee58.jpg

[Nero]

Something is wrong here.

Leather slings do not use a metal keeper.
Nor are they the same in design as a web sling.

Definitely not 1907s.  Looks like the Greeks took the M1 sling pattern and just made them out of leather.  I'd only worry whether the leather was too worn or rotten for the keeper to hold.  OTOH, at that price it's hard to go too wrong even if half of them are dead.

[Unbridled Liberty]

Something is wrong here.

Leather slings do not use a metal keeper.
Nor are they the same in design as a web sling.

It doesn't say they are M1907 leather slings.  Apparently they are the same as the web sling but with leather instead of cotton or nylon.  Sounds interesting.  At that price I'd go for it.

UL

[BeSwift]

I got 5 of them at from CMP at Camp Perry last year. Some will work fine as loaners, others, you'll need to modify and be creative. Most will clean up nicely and they sure as heck won't slip down your arm, like the nylon & canvas (somewhat) tend to do. For the price, buy 20 of em, and you'll end up with 5-10 that you'll want to keep... My 02.  BeSwift 

[stoneknives]

The Greek M1 slings are leather copies of the standard M1 sling, not the '07.

When you get a nice one they work great (and look good). I have found 2 kinds of adjusters in use on them. The first type has a round tensioner, like the normal M1 canvas slings. The second type has a 90degree tensioner with a hard edge. Those are hard on the leather if you adjust the sling alot.

[Kosciusko]

My thanks to all for the input.

Well, I'll guess I'll get a test batch, mostly the $1 ones, some of the $4 as well.

[Miki]

i'm wondering, did the CMP offer these at some  point, or were they a bulk commercial import?
Kosciusko

Yes, the CMP does have a bunch of these slings in stock. You need to dig through the 'bucket-o-slings' to find a good one. I picked one up last weekend. And it was pretty slim pickings. Most of them were a mess. I did manage to find one in very good condition. I think there were on rifles returned from Greece and they kept the best ones for the CMP store. Just as an FYI, the CMP are charging $5 per sling.

[DEH]

So where exactly can I get these?

[Kosciusko]

the ones I'm looking at are off of gunboards.com

I'm going to arrange for a test batch, w/ an option on the rest.

[henschman]

Kosciusko, do you mind sharing your source for mil spec keepers?

[Kosciusko]

Kosciusko, do you mind sharing your source for mil spec keepers?

http://www.cjweapons.com/aspcart45/default.asp?page=303&start=1

100% US made, and the company is run by a retired USMC Master Sergeant and his wife

now, they don't show  keepers as a separate item, but I buy 100 slings at a time, and order spare hardware  at the same time.

I'm sure if you asked them nicely, they would accommodate you.  They are very nice people to work with.

they also have H-buckles and J-hooks/snapclips

[henschman]

Cool, thanks

[Wy Knott]

I have bought a fair number of these from the cmp and am pretty happy with them. One problem is that the leather is sometimes to fat for the keeper and then the keeper is hard to shut.