I picked up a M1873 Springfield Trapdoor last weekend at the local gun show.  It actually came with an original sling but I figured I would reserve that for show and get another repro sling for general use.  I have a repro on my Krag but am not very happy with it.  It is too thick, which makes it hard to slide through the rear swivel and while the rear keeper works, it's not really as big as it should be.  I'm sure it was made in India and think I got it off eBay a couple of years ago but don't recall a mfgr or distributor's name associated with it. 

I took a chance and bought one from worldwarsupply located in Ada, MI, also off eBay.  They supposedly copied an actual RIA sling.  It came today and I'm much more pleased with this one.  The quality is okay for a repro, though it's clearly not as good of leather as I associate with mil issues.  The brass button shows machine marks but as its not visible, I really don't care.  I guess I could polish it if I chose too.  The hook is not as thick and rough as the other repro but not as fine as the original  Most importantly though the thickness of the leather is correct and the keepers are each sized correctly also.  I could take or leave the faux RIA stamp and inspectors initials but it doesn't bother me.  For $25 I think it was worth it.

Pardon the Trapdoor pic on the Krag site but my Krag is at the gun smith.  It does let me share a gratuitous pic of my new acquisition though, which I'm thoroughly pumped up about!   :)


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DocCasualty:  What is the overall length of your new sling and original sling?  Does either sling have stitching, where  two slings are sewn together?

I'll get back to you about length when I find my tape measure.  The repro is four fingers breadth longer than my original, so ~3 inches longer.  Neither is stitched together.

The original sling is 71" long.