Turkish M1903 Sling

Sling Length -  41 1/2 inches

Sling Width - 1 1/16 inch

Above is a Turkish Model 1903 Mauser that was purchased from Century International Arms in 2000.  It came with the sling attached.  The rifle was reworked in 1938 per a date stamped on top of the receiver.  As for the sling, it could have been paired up with the rifle about anytime during the 20th century, but it has obviously been on there for a very long time.  When I first got it, it was all moldy, stiff, and brittle.  I cleaned off all the mold and crud, then bought some leather treatment to try to soften it up.  There are no markings anywhere on the sling.  I thought this particular sling was interesting because of the hand tied leather thong (used in place of a button or buckle) to make the loop in the sling that fastens it to the swivels.

Note:  All photos are taken from the right side of the gun unless otherwise noted

Two views of the sling and the rear swivel.  Notice the sling makes a loop through the swivel then held together with a leather thong.

Here is a picture of the sling in relation to the front sling swivel.  Notice it too is held together by a leather thong.  

These two pictures show the leather thong and how it is strung through the sling near the front sling swivel.  The left picture is the outside of the sling and the right picture shows the rather interesting knot on the inside of the sling.  

UNISSUED TURK SLING

Information and photo courtesy of Stephan Cicippio

A really nice Turkish Mauser, brown leather rifle sling. Sling is unissued but does show dirt and has storage stains. This sling is a double thong type.

Comments, corrections, questions, or if you have a rifle sling you would like to share with the world:

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