The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

I have read the the RMs were outfitted with U.S. outer uniforms and U.S. weapons due to their integration with U.S. forces.

That was one of the pics I had seen. I guess with RM and USMC co-operating, it would be logical to share equipment. All the photos I have looked at just don't show enough detail to confirm or deny which bayonets were in use. I looked for images from the Suez Crisis in 1956, but had the same problem.

I must say I'm surprised no-one has offered any clues on the sling. At the foot of this page is a reference to one with a latex inner.

http://rifleslings.com/british_slings_overview_page.htm

MrD wrote:That was one of the pics I had seen. I guess with RM and USMC co-operating, it would be logical to share equipment. All the photos I have looked at just don't show enough detail to confirm or deny which bayonets were in use. I looked for images from the Suez Crisis in 1956, but had the same problem.

I must say I'm surprised no-one has offered any clues on the sling. At the foot of this page is a reference to one with a latex inner.

http://rifleslings.com/british_slings_overview_page.htm

The British utility sling with the latex inner is as on that weblink - I have two, and they are unusable as they are rock hard!

IIRC, the sling in the original post is not British at all. It is identical to one of the types made locally in eastern India during WW2: the 14th Army had severe problems obtaining web equipment from UK, so procured a lot of stuff made locally out of jute (they even made supply parachutes out of Jute). The Jute P'37 slings are typically jute cloth folded over into layers and then full-length stitched. Apparently a lot of this stuff came onto the surplus market from India, and the Indians helpfully added the "Made in England" stamp to assist sales...

Rearlugs wrote:

MrD wrote:That was one of the pics I had seen. I guess with RM and USMC co-operating, it would be logical to share equipment. All the photos I have looked at just don't show enough detail to confirm or deny which bayonets were in use. I looked for images from the Suez Crisis in 1956, but had the same problem.

I must say I'm surprised no-one has offered any clues on the sling. At the foot of this page is a reference to one with a latex inner.

http://rifleslings.com/british_slings_overview_page.htm

The British utility sling with the latex inner is as on that weblink - I have two, and they are unusable as they are rock hard!

IIRC, the sling in the original post is not British at all. It is identical to one of the types made locally in eastern India during WW2: the 14th Army had severe problems obtaining web equipment from UK, so procured a lot of stuff made locally out of jute (they even made supply parachutes out of Jute). The Jute P'37 slings are typically jute cloth folded over into layers and then full-length stitched. Apparently a lot of this stuff came onto the surplus market from India, and the Indians helpfully added the "Made in England" stamp to assist sales...

Great information, thanks! It is amazing the amount of knowledge available here.

rufrdr wrote: Great information, thanks! It is amazing the amount of knowledge available here.

You're more than welcome. British & Commonwealth bayonets and militaria are my strong points..... just wish I was as capable using the rifles, but can only improve smile2