MP40 Slings, opinions please.

[Bergflak]

It's complicated.....
Stolla manufactured K98k slings during WW2 (cgu), but is more "famous" today for their postwar replacement slings for the MP40 and K98k.

[LES Y]

It's complicated.....
Stolla manufactured K98k slings during WW2 (cgu), but is more "famous" today for their postwar replacement slings for the MP40 and K98k.

Hi Reidar,

On your site you state "Almost impossible to tell apart, except for the postwar marking!" So how can you tell the sling is a "Stolla" made sling if it has no markings, (not doubting you or trying to justify the sling, just trying to learn).

There is a square dark ink stain on the inside of the sling which if I remember correctly was explained as the stain left after the German maker mark had been disguised.

Les

[ValhallaMilitaria]

It's complicated.....
Stolla manufactured K98k slings during WW2 (cgu), but is more "famous" today for their postwar replacement slings for the MP40 and K98k.

Okay, thanks, this helps me a bit. There is a learning curve on everything TR related.

[Doktor]

Sling K98 and MP 40 - different lengths. what is the length of your sling?

Sling K98 and MP 40 - different lengths. what is the length of your sling?

[LES Y]

Sling K98 and MP 40 - different lengths. what is the length of your sling?

140 cm

[Bergflak]

Hi Reidar,

On your site you state "Almost impossible to tell apart, except for the postwar marking!" So how can you tell the sling is a "Stolla" made sling if it has no markings, (not doubting you or trying to justify the sling, just trying to learn).

There is a square dark ink stain on the inside of the sling which if I remember correctly was explained as the stain left after the German maker mark had been disguised.

Les

Learning is a good thing!

More likely "left after the postwar maker mark had been disguised". (Never heard about a maker marked being covered up for honorable reasons ... ).

Everybody is entitled to an opinion, and I have no share in this. I was asked to make a comment on the originality, which I have done.

I have handled several hundred original slings. I dare say I can say which is which by a simple glance. That is the only method I need to use. Experience will always be the best tool in the box!

With that said, here is a short analyze for your reading pleasure:

This sling has a few typical tell-tale signs.
-The roller pin heads have the Stolla design. Compare it with the 1944 dated cgu sling in my (very old) article about 4/10 way down the page: http://www.bergflak.com/slings.html (Stolla had the wartime code cgu).
-The color of the wartime leather dyed by Stolla appears to be a darker brown on all cgu slings I have seen
-The wartime leather had a matt appearance, while the postwar Stolla slings are always semi-gloss
-The button is very untypical WW2, but identical to the ones found on the postwar Stolla slings.
-The ricasso pattern on the Stolla slings are almost always pristine like this. WW2 slings seldom have this striking pattern intact like this.

The x-factors:
-WW2 slings can veeery seldom be found in pristine, light color with hardly any use (1 out of 50). Stolla Wien slings can very seldom be found in "used condition" (1 out of 10).
-This sling is identical to hundreds of others I have seen sold on ebay over the last 15 years. Unmarked, marked Stolla/Wien, marked with phony SS markings and so on.

Just my personal opinion. I would have spent my hard earned cash elsewhere.

[LES Y]

Hi Reidar,

Thanks for your comments and info, appreciate it.

Les

[Doktor]

140, this is the wrong length for military sling ..

140, this is the wrong length for military sling ..

http://www.antik-war.lv/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=307736