Slings for Lewis guns?

[dwmmg08]

Ok, I love my Lewis Gun, but I really would like a sling for it. Has anyone seen any for sale anywhere? Did they use the standard SMLE sling? Did anyone see any with slings at beltring, or see any out at knob creek?

[andrewupton]

Jan 26, 2009 0:51:10 GMT 1 dwmmg08 said:

Ok, I love my Lewis Gun, but I really would like a sling for it. Has anyone seen any for sale anywhere? Did they use the standard SMLE sling? Did anyone see any with slings at beltring, or see any out at knob creek?

For Great War period, one dodge is to use two 1908 Pattern cross straps and 4 two-inch buckles - you use two buckles to hold the straps together in the middle with a good length of overlap, and then use the either two to fix the straps around the barrel casing and the butt-stock. Works very well.

[dwmmg08]

Hey, that's a great idea, I'll see if I can scare some of those up. I'll bet I can, thanks!!!

I'm assuming that was actually done during the war, that would make sense, and the stuff to do it was everywhere.

[andrewupton]

Jan 27, 2009 6:23:37 GMT 1 dwmmg08 said:

Hey, that's a great idea, I'll see if I can scare some of those up. I'll bet I can, thanks!!!

I'm assuming that was actually done during the war, that would make sense, and the stuff to do it was everywhere.

I believe it is correct for early Lewis gun use, but of course on a working gun the webbing wasn't heat proofed at all, and would presumably get singed after prolonged contact/use, hence the asbestos lining used on the later specially designed slings.

[emmagee]

I have a Lewis sling, dated 1916 (faintly) which has a loop on either end to slip over the front radiator casing and buttstock wrist. It has a rather large brass buckle for adjustment. I can find no references for this sling and can only assume that it ws issued before the sling swivels were added in 1916.

Wish I could figure out how to post photos here, I would like to share a picture of it attached to the gun!

Harry

[dwmmg08]

Wish you could to, that would be neat to see!!!! I've wondered why the brits didn't make a sling like the 08/15's for the Lewis, it would be handy an appropriate.

[tom]

Since I've hidden the pics of the real one at Warminster I can't say how accurate it but I stumbled on a site

www.militaryhistoryworkshop.co.uk/shop/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=241

where they sell a replica Lewis sling for the re enactment crowd.

Anyine able to give a opinion on it?

ATB

Tom

PS anyone want to see the dedicated Lewis webbing that ME Co where peddling just after the Great War? I've the calalogue pics some where...

[emmagee]

Looks good to me! I plan on ordering one. In fact upon perusing his site I plan on ordering a number of things.

Originals of that pattern are unobtainable. Presumably they were destroyed, perhaps due to the asbestos lining?

[mkvii]

Parker-Hale sold, for many years, a target rifle sling converted out of Lewis gun slings which they called their 1927 Model. Here it is, on the left, with another of their products.

[dangunseme]

I just picked up a mint condition Lewis sling with the asbestos lining and a C broad arrow. It is undated. Any idea on timelines for this sling since it has no date on the brass tip and no maker marks. Thanks.

[jerryl303]

The Lewis Gun slings that the Military History Workshop makes are excellent reproductions of the real thing. I have one for my deactivated Lewis and apart from being brand new, it is an exact replica of the one on the SASC Infantry Weapons Collection's example. If anyone would be interested, I can post pictures of the two side by side.

[WWImg]

took the suggestion and went to the military history workshop website and purchased one of their repro Lewis Gun slings. Looks very good and reasonably priced. They even make repro Vickers MK I/II water bags.