The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

I had a chance today to open up the accessory pack of my latest 91/30 imported by Century Arms International only to find that the shoulder strap was leather! All of the previous acquisitions included olive drab fabric shoulder straps plus all of the pictures that I have seen had the same type. Of those that I have, the straps were all dated in the 1950's while this leather strap is dated March 8, 1948. Are leather shoulder straps common? Here's a picture of the strap:

I remember such slings from back in the 90's, nice score

Nice I've got an olive drab canvas sling for mine. It looks ok, but I think a leather one would look nice with the wood furniture.

Is that a DDR sling? Month is German.

Actually you answered your own question. They are not common, but the web slings are. You got a sweet deal.

Buckeye, I think you are right. The triangle clearly has a large 1 in it.

bunkysdad wrote:Buckeye, I think you are right. The triangle clearly has a large 1 in it.

+1 That is the first thing I noticed too.

right on!!

Nice! I wish could score cool "extras" like that! I've never seen a leather M91/30 sling.

I bet that is a $50 sling easy.

MarksmanTim wrote:Nice! I wish could score cool "extras" like that! I've never seen a leather M91/30 sling.

I have been looking for a leather 91/30 sling for a long time, leather is appropriate for pre 1930 rifles, I a hex 91/30 I've always wanted to put one on. Really nice sling with that one.

etprescottazusa91 wrote:

MarksmanTim wrote:Nice! I wish could score cool "extras" like that! I've never seen a leather M91/30 sling.

I have been looking for a leather 91/30 sling for a long time, leather is appropriate for pre 1930 rifles, I a hex 91/30 I've always wanted to put one on. Really nice sling with that one.

I don't think this sling is pre 1930. Nore, am I convenced it is Soviet Russian at all. I would lean toward a satalite country. The triangle 1 stamp leads me to think East German, but even if that stamp is not East German DDR; I am still leaning satalite country, and not Russian. Though I do agree that it is a heck of a score!

Edit: I googled 1 COPT and it looks Russian.... but I have no idea what the heck this is about, nor what to think; but it does picture chicks in bikinis!

http://m.vk.com/1copt1

It's an East German sling, and a pretty rare one - most have a different marking and do not have the early date and Soviet occupation marking like this. There are also East German leather ammo pouches that match these. Interestingly, in the early 1950's the East Germans acquired a number of Polish and marked green canvas ammo pouches (whether from Poland or the Soviet Union is not known), and these will have East German markings stamped in them.

I knew it was not pre 1930 though leather would be correct for that era rifle. the Russians went back to leather in 1950's in different service branches as well as the satellite countries, that other forum has a great sling identification page, here is a link.

http://www.mosinnagant.net/ussr/russian ... slings.asp

WICKED SCORE-----WOW

Thank you for the overwhelming firestorm response to my post! I had no idea that this strap would be so special. When I first saw it in the plastic bag with the cartridge pouch, cleaning kit, and oil bottle I thought that the exporter just stuck an imitation strap of the green fabric strap. Was I ever wrong! Having read your posts, it sounds this is a Soviet WWII style strap (thanks to the mosinnagant.net link!) that was that was brought into DDR service in 1948 just before the Berlin Blockade began. What a piece of history! I love collecting Mosins (six individual 91/30s so far starting in January!) but before now I didn't feel any interest in a 91/30 used in East Germany. Now I had added one to my list of rifles to watch for. I am psyched!!

That is a East German sling. Could be worth more than $50. Maybe to $100?

Dolk

So where is the rifle, does it happen to be a DDR as well?

BuckeyeSgt wrote:So where is the rifle, does it happen to be a DDR as well?

The rifle that it came with is a 1936 Tula Hex 91/30 that was "featured" in a post about a "perfect" 36 last week. No, unfortunately, it is not a DDR. It would be so cool if it was.