Repro MG42 Split Slings

[CRUSADER]

I did a "sling search", but the threads were all old and the links (if any) no longer worked.

So, I have been looking all over for a WWII MG42 sling. Good quality originals seem to be near impossible to find, so I then began a search for a repro. I found these and would like some opinions. The seller says these are made with all-new hardware that is manufactured in Germany. The seller does the leather work. These photo's compare an original with a repro.

[Bil]

What is the pricing on these? ---bil

[CRUSADER]

Bil - the price is the scary part. These things are not made in the US. With the way the exchange rates are now, we get killed. The seller wants $122.28 each. Still cheaper than any original I could find though (when I could actually find one!).

When I saw these photo's, I realized that the snap clip is also great for use on Lafette 42 Carry Straps. I inquired as to whether I could purchase 4 Snap Clips as well as a complete sling. The seller agreed to sell me 4 Snap Clips. They are $19.11 each. Here is a photo...



Obviously, one of those clips is different from the other three. That is something that I am going to have to make sure gets "fixed" by the seller before the deal is done.

Let's hear it gents ... look good?

[c310pilot]

Pretty spendy. I will try and find some contact info on a guy who was selling repos on ebay for $20 or $30 bucks.

[CRUSADER]

Wow ... 23~30 bucks sure is much better, but are they accurate copies of German WWII slings?

[tomcatshaas]

The leather alone to make a sling would cost you about $30. I plan on making my own slings and lafette carry straps. Here are the hardware I will be using for my Lafette straps. I think I paid $1.00 a piece. They are close, but not perfect. Bent my own triangle thingys.The leather for the carry straps is about
$45. Then I haven't even got into the hardware and the labor costs. $120. is about right. Oh, and what about the proper makers stamps and waffenamps. I'm having stamps made too. $120. is cheap.

For $19.00 each you could of bought one of those repro canvas slings from Inter ordnance and got all the hardware. That's what I am going to do.
http://ioinc.us/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen ... _Code=mg42



TC

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

If they are, Crusader, then I want a set of four for myself!!!

[CRUSADER]

If they are, Crusader, then I want a set of four for myself!!!

I'm not sure I'm tracking you, DA. Do you mean to say that if these snap clips are accurate copies of the ones used for the L42 straps that you also want a set of four? If so, I do not believe that they are 100% perfect. They are very close, though. If you want a set, I can forward the contact info to you ... or I will ask for 8 clips and send you four when everything arrives.

I am only using Myrvang's book as a reference. On page 435 of the book we can see the slings and carry straps. The slings and straps use two similar - but never-the-less different - types of snap clips. The L42 clips have the spring exposed. The snap clips used on the slings do not have exposed springs. The small end of the clips are a bit different from each other too. They really are very close though.

Also, upon closer examination of the photos in the book, I think that the "Odd Ball" clip in that third photo I posted (with the 4 snap clips) is an original snap clip for a sling. The seller just positioned it with three of his repro's for comparison. I'll have to ask him to clarify this point.

For what it's worth guys, these $120 repro slings are being made in ... Japan! They are used for ... wait for it ... wait for it ...

... yep, they are used for Airsoft MG42's. These AS42's are steel - heavy like the "Real Thing". The maker assures me that they can easily handle the weight of a real-deal MG/SA42.

Unless some one here on the forum comes up with something better, I think I'm gonna spring for one sling and for four (4) of the snap clips, too. Eight clips if DA wants 4 of em'.

Another little oddity is that the seller will not accept a credit card for payment - only bank transfers. I have never payed for anything in that way ... looks like I gotta give the bank a call too ... yay ...

[tomcatshaas]

Like I said, I still think $120. is a fair price....after I stop crying about my bleeding fingers from making one....I would wish I had bought one of these

TC

[FKpt.Fritz]

i think im happy with my crapy $40 sling

[Abominog]

I just got a repro sling off Ebay for $35 shipped.

It seems to be made identically to the K98 slings sold by IMA- same leather, same stitching.

The leather (in both cases) is lower quality, and DRY. I oiled it, and will have to continue to do so, otherwise it will certainly crack soon.

[CRUSADER]

I just got a repro sling off Ebay for $35 shipped.

It seems to be made identically to the K98 slings sold by IMA- same leather, same stitching.

The leather (in both cases) is lower quality, and DRY. I oiled it, and will have to continue to do so, otherwise it will certainly crack soon.

Dang...I have been watching eGay like a hawk ... nothin'

Is the sling you got an accurate copy of a German sling from WWII - aside from the leather? Can you post up some photo's?

Do you still have any info about the seller you got it from?

Thanks!

[Bil]

Fritz-I loved your post!it is the most positive negative I have ever seen!Or is it a negative positive??? ---bil

[bergflak]

I did a "sling search", but the threads were all old and the links (if any) no longer worked.

So, I have been looking all over for a WWII MG42 sling. Good quality originals seem to be near impossible to find, so I then began a search for a repro. I found these and would like some opinions. The seller says these are made with all-new hardware that is manufactured in Germany. The seller does the leather work. These photo's compare an original with a repro.

Well, as a curiosity: The slings pictured are both copies, the new made one slightly better than the so called "original" one (I guess it was his first attempt, since he has used identical hardware on both, but painted the buckles on the "original")! The rear buckle is way off, as the spacing disk (added when the MG42 was introduced) is missing on both. The front hooks aren't looking too bad, but is still not 100%. They seem to be copied from the BW MG3 sling. Pitty it wasn't a 34 slings, as the originals would sell at that price!

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

That repro sling is awesome.

[bergflak]

That repro sling is awesome.

I wouldn't say it was half-bad, but when you compare them you see that the new-made and the old new-made use identical hardware, but he has painted it (rather sloppy) on the first try and blued it on the second run!. Leather ain't half-bad. But when compared to an original it all falls apart! Hardware is all wrong and the workmanship on the leather can't really stand up to comparison either!
If I had $ 120 to spend on a carrying sling I would rather have bought a original MG34 sling and replaced the pin on the rear buckle with a slightly longer one, and boom shanka; Bob's your Uncle!

[Bil]

Actually,that is quite a clever selling point-make two fake slings,then compare them saying one is real and the other one is 'close'! ---bil

[CRUSADER]

If someone has a strong, serviceable, original MG42 sling for sale at $120, I'll buy it.

What is a "Spacing Disk"? I thought the grip clasp was redesigned (made wider) after the introduction of the MG42 in order to compensate for the MG42's wider pistol grip.

[bergflak]

If someone has a strong, serviceable, original MG42 sling for sale at $120, I'll buy it.

What is a "Spacing Disk"? I thought the grip clasp was redesigned (made wider) after the introduction of the MG42 in order to compensate for the MG42's wider pistol grip.

A original MG34 sling can be found for 120,- but not a MG42 sling anymore! My point was to rebuild a MG34 sling instead of buying a copy MG42 sling for the same price!

When the MG 34 was issued the rear buckle looked like this!

[bergflak]

When the MG42 was fielded the grip was indeed made thicker and the old sling would no longer fit. The need for a new sling was simply fixed by adding the spacer ring and putting on a longer cross pin! The new 34/42 sling would fit the Mg42 perfectly and would work on the MG34 but allow some "travelling"!
The spacer ring is circled in red!