There were a number of documents regarding how motorcyclists should carry Stens. I looked through some of the CMHQ files on Sten guns, but they don’t include much correspondence regarding Canadian production (other than quantities and when to expect shipments). Maybe it was recognized that they were too short and were purposefully not issued (ideally this would have been caught prior to receiving an acceptance stamp).
It seems that this style of sling in unissued condition, was (at least in the past) relatively plentiful on this side of the pond. There might have been a mistake where the webbing was cut to the “finished length”, and then when it was folded and riveted, it was too short. The fact that the surviving examples are a few inches shorter than the 36” described in the British 1942 Parts ID list could have been due to a Canadian production error.
My current thoughts are that the slings in question (short and non-adjustable) are the first pattern of Sten sling (VAOS B3 BE 8574). Those images include the nomenclature for the MkII and MK III Slings, which show the VAOS numbers and drawing numbers (the drawing numbers match those listed above by Rob). There are also images from a British 1951 Mk V Sten parts list. The 1944 Mk V Sten parts list can be found near the bottom of this page: It seems that my previous link to the Karkee Web site is not working well. I'll be reaching for my copy of the "Sten Machine Carbine" by Laidler in the next few minutes to see if it sheds any light on these. And if these shorter straps were for that version, I would think they would be listed as such in my 1959 dated manual. The only sten variation that I can think of that is shorter is the CDN Mk2/1 which is the mk2 fitted with the pistol grip for airborne use, but at the end of the day the sling will start at the part of the butt closest to the endcap, so the working length of the sling really does not change. The illustrations for both slings show it as being adjustable, however it shows more of a dog clip on both ends of the mk3 sling as compared to the pig tail and loop of the traditional sling. I just measured one that I had sitting on the desk, and it comes in at 31". The second image I have attached of the adjustable sling with stores tag was found at the LWD Parts website:
Perry, when you measured the 32” was this the overall length including the metal fittings, or just the webbing? Are these Canadian slings actually shorter than the 36” total length noted in the 1942 British ID List?įor someone with access to an adjustable sling: What is the total extended length? My interpretation is that there were two Sten slings. This seemingly longer and adjustable sling is known as “BE 8504, Sling, Carbine, Machine, Sten, 9mm, Mk II” Info regarding the sling can be found on pages 18 and 19. The 1944, Parts list for Carbine, Machine, Sten, 9mm, Mk V, can be found here: The standard rifle sling was used for Mk I Sten, whereas Mks II and III used “BE 8574, Slings, Carbine, Machine, Sten, 9mm.” The illustration notes that the overall length of this sling isģ6” and it appears to be non-adjustable (note, I can’t seem to take a screenshot of the PDF, but I have attached the illustration that I found at a different source). Info regarding slings can be found on pages 22 and 23. The August 1942, Carbines, Machine, Sten, 9mm, Mks I, II & III, Illustrated Identification List can be found here: