History of the USGI Web Sling

[Newsletter]

History of the USGI Web Sling

By: Maximum Ordinate

Project Appleseed recommends the USGI cotton web sling for shooting because it's lightweight, easy to adjust, and provides excellent stability while shooting.  This article explores the history of this classic sling.

The USGI Web Sling
The adoption of the USGI (United States Government Issue) cotton web sling marked a significant improvement in rifle slings for the U.S. Army.  Instead of expensive, high-maintenance leather, Soldiers received durable, mass-produced textiles.  There were several experimental models, but Project Appleseed recommends the standard "cotton USGI web sling." This sling was called the "M1 sling" or "web sling, M1" in official documents.

It was used by the U.S. Military from mid-WWII up until the early days of the Global War on Terror.

Predecessors
Before the widespread adoption of cotton web slings, the standard American rifle sling was the M1907, a complex two-piece leather sling.

While favored by Riflemen for its stability, the M1907 sling was expensive to produce, required oiling to prevent rot, and became slick and heavy when wet during combat.

Period	Sling Model	Material	Purpose
Pre-WWI - 1942	M1907	Leather	Traditional marksmanship and durability in dry climates.
1923 - 1943	M1923	Cotton Web	Early attempt at a web alternative; featured multiple adjustment holes.  More complex than its replacement.
1943 - 1960s	M1 Sling	Cotton Web	The definitive "USGI" web sling; simplified for mass production.
1960s - now	Small Arms Sling	Nylon Web	Resistance to jungle rot; replaced cotton during the Vietnam War.

The Introduction of the M1 Web Sling
In 1943, the U.S. military introduced the M1 sling to replace the M1907.  It was designed to be soldier-proof: lighter, easy to adjust, cheap to manufacture, and functional in any environment, from the humid Pacific to the freezing Ardennes.

The M1 sling did not immediately replace the M1907 sling, but it was phased in for new issue and replacement of unserviceable existing slings.

Key Design Features
The newly fielded sling had five key design features:

1.  Strap.  A 1.25" wide cotton strap, measuring ~52 inches before stitching and ~48 inches after stitching.  The maximum extension was between 46-50 inches, as contracts varied.  The feed end was capped with a metal tip to prevent fraying.
2.  Keeper.  Unlike the leather sling, which used metal "frogs" (hooks) and holes, the M1 sling used a compression keeper.  It allowed a soldier to swiftly adjust the sling length.
3.  Hook.  A simple flat metal hook at one end allowed for quick attachment to the rifle's rear swivel.  (Also known as a J-hook.)
4.  Buckle:  A metal guide that allows a shooter to easily don a loop sling for maximum stability.
5.  Hardware Finish. The metal components were initially parkerized (a grey/green phosphate coating) to prevent glare and corrosion, a hallmark of USGI equipment.  This parkerizing replaced the blued steel finish from some M1907 slings.

Rifle Compatibility and Service
The cotton web sling was remarkably versatile and saw service across four major conflicts: WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the early stages of the Global War on Terror (primarily on M14 variants).

Rifle Model	Sling Type	Usage
M1903	1.25" cotton web	Issued to secondary units or for training as leather supplies dwindled.
M1 Garand	1.25" cotton web	The most iconic pairing; standard issue from late 1943 onward.
M1 Carbine	1.0" cotton web	A specialized thinner version that used an oiler as the rear anchor point.
M14 Rifle	1.25" cotton web	Standard issue through the 1950s and 60s.  Also, in the early days of GWOT.
Early M16	1.25" cotton web	Used until "jungle rot" forced a transition to nylon (silent) slings.

Color and Material Evolution
The appearance of the USGI web sling evolved over the years.  Collectors often distinguish the era of a sling by its color and weave.

1.  Khaki / transitional OD green.  Early WWII slings were often khaki or light olive drab (OD #3).
2.  OD green.  Post-1944 and Korean War era slings shifted to a much darker "OD #7" green.
3.  Parkerized hardware:  Early slings featured a grey/green phosphate protective coating.
4.  Black oxide hardware: Late-war and post-war versions often featured semigloss or matte black oxide finish on the metal instead of the grey-green parkerizing.  It was faster to produce and required less labor than parkerizing.
5.  Painted hardware.  Some late-war slings were issued with hardware painted with black enamel paint.  It was fast to produce but not a durable finish.

Documentation
Though the cotton web sling was released in 1943, it missed the cutoff to be included in the July 1943 edition of Field Manual 23-5 (U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1).  It was later included in the 1951 update and called "gun sling M1 (improved web)."  The parts are described simply as buckle, keeper, and hook.

Field Manual 23-8 (U.S. Rifle, 7.62-MM, M14) was the first manual where the cotton M1 web sling was the absolute standard from day one of publication. While the M1907 leather sling could still be used (especially for competition), the FM 23-8 illustrations show the M1 web sling exclusively being used in loop and hasty configurations.

The sling is also featured in Field Manual 23-9 (RIFLE, 5.56-MM, XM16E1) from 1968.  This manual also references a longer version of the sling authorized for use.  It was intended to allow the rifle to hang on the body, leaving hands free for other tasks.

Yesterday & Today
The USGI cotton web sling represented a masterclass in wartime ingenuity: a simple, rugged tool born from necessity.  It outlasted its leather predecessors and served American Riflemen across decades of conflict. Its lightweight cotton webbing, swift adjustments, and rock-solid stability when used as a loop sling make it far more than a carry strap.  In either hasty or loop configuration, it becomes an extension of the shooter's body, helping achieve the tight groups for a Rifleman.

This is precisely why Project Appleseed continues to recommend the classic cotton USGI web sling for its events. In an era of high-tech gear, it reminds us that fundamentals (proper sling use, steady positions, NPOA, and 6 Steps) still win the day. Whether you're slinging up on the line at an Appleseed shoot or outfitting your vintage M1 Garand, this humble web sling connects today's Riflemen to the proven skills of generations past.

Grab one, come to an Appleseed, and discover why the USGI cotton web sling remains the gold standard for minting Riflemen.

[LDB415]

Great article. Appreciate learning stuff like this. Thanks for sharing.