Help with slings

[rob love]

I just measured one that I had sitting on the desk, and it comes in at 31".
The Cdn manual lists two sten slings. Drawing DD(E)3331 (NSN 1005-21-103-8405)is for the mk2 sten, and drawing DD(E)659/G/4 *NSN 1005-21-103-8404) is for the mk3 sten. 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. (Ed beat me to posting the photos)



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. And if these shorter straps were for that version, I would think they would be listed as such in my 1959 dated manual.



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.