MP44 Sling

[Gene]

I picked this up years ago in Germany but haven't seen it referenced anywhere:

[Gene]

No one knows anything about this sling?

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Gene, I have never seen one of these web slings before? I see no reason why such a sling could not have been made, given the introduction date of the gun and the move towards the replacement of leather with webbing gear at that stage of the War.

My MP44 has a leather sling. It is brown leather with a faint checked pattern impressed into it. Unmarked, other than a very small "DRP" stamped mark, on the tab end that passes through the stock.

Cheers, Ade.

[Peter Wiking]

Have a look here:
http://www.rifleslings.com/german_mp44_sling.htm

Peter Wiking

[Matt Weber]

Gene,

Webbed slings like this have always been a great source of controversy. I've heard many stories about these. What are the markings on yours? (can't tell by the pics, but looks like it is marked "MP44" and also a maker marke/date?)

So far, as I'm concerned, I haven't seen any proof that these were ever used. However, that doesn't mean that these aren't original WWII production! I have seen one that had a maker code for a factory in France! It was a webbed sling for a K43, and was made in 1944! Due to the situation in France in 1944, I'm sure this sling was never issued. However, it is very possible that it was produced for the German military.

I've seen other webbed slings as well for the: K98, K43, and Stg44. Most of them are marked. I have also seen some webbed slings on VG1 rifles, but aren't marked.

We should ask our friend Reidar about these webbed slings, and get his opinion on them as well.

Matt

[Gene]

Thanx all for the info. It's marked MP44 and what looks like stg45

[Carl Ellingstad]

The sling at the photo is a modern reproduction done in Germany for 6.years ago! You will find stamps with three letter codes that never was used, and codes who was used by metal manufacture firms e.t.c.

Regards

Carl

[Gene]

Thanx Carl, but I've had this sling for about 12 years (I returned from Germany in 1992)

[Carl Ellingstad]

Hi Gene!

It might have been on the market longer than the first time I did see it(1998-Dortmund gun show)
It is wellknown to German arms collectors, I presume some of them here at the board are familiar with it.

Regards

Carl

Thanx Carl, but I've had this sling for about 12 years (I returned from Germany in 1992)

[Bergflak]

MP44 slings again!

Hi!

I stand behind Carl on this one. The web sling type pictured has been around for several years. Normally they are found with inked stamps denoting type of gun, although they are identical. The German WW2 manufacturing method (if such an item ever would have existed) would have been thread enforced eyes (like the web bayonet frog for the K98). Leather enforced eyes (especially teardrop shaped!) like this is uncommon in German WW2 equipment. And finally; there is no photgraphic evidence such a sling ever existed, so why should it? In my humble opinion these slings are all of post WW2 manufacture. My MP44 came with a sling like the one on Ade's beautiful gun. The leather sling with a folded and stitched end is of ex-DDR origin, and was manufactured specifically for the MP44 that saw post-war service in DDR. These slings have a slightly more greasy feeling to the leather, and can also be found with MP44 and MP45 (?) inked stamps!

Reidar