1942 Enfield Rifle Sling (S.S.H. LTD)
Pattern 1937 khaki web sling for Lee Enfield rifles
Images
Specifications
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | S.S. Holden Limited (S.S.H. LTD) |
| Model | Enfield rifle sling, Pattern 1937 webbing |
| Year | 1942 |
| Caliber | Not applicable – sling for .303 British Lee Enfield rifles |
| Configuration | Khaki cotton web sling with blackened brass hooks at each end, sized for standard Enfield sling swivels |
| Serial Number | None – dated and maker stamped only |
| Markings | Ink stamp “S.S.H. LTD 1942” on webbing, with wartime government property marks and inspector stamps typical of Canadian production |
Historical Summary
This khaki cotton web sling represents the standard wartime pattern issued with Lee Enfield rifles during the early 1940s. The maker stamp S.S.H. LTD 1942 identifies S.S. Holden Limited, a Canadian contractor that produced web equipment for British and Commonwealth forces.
Slings of this style were paired with the No. 4 Mk I and No. 5 Mk I Jungle Carbine and also saw service on earlier SMLE rifles still in front line or reserve use. The same pattern could be fitted when needed to Bren guns or other small arms that used compatible sling loops. Soldiers relied on the sling both for carry and as a shooting aid in prone or kneeling fire.
Canadian made webbing, often marked with a C broad arrow, reflects the wider wartime production network that supported British and Commonwealth forces across multiple theaters.
Collector Notes
A dated sling with clear S.S.H. LTD markings is a strong match for Canadian produced No. 4 rifles and is equally appropriate on British Enfields that were reissued with Canadian web gear. The blackened brass hooks and wartime ink stamps help distinguish period slings from later commercial reproductions.
The slinng here shows honest age to the webbing and fittings while retaining legible markings, a balance that many collectors prefer over heavily worn or overcleaned examples.
Provenance
- Acquired on the collector market as a loose sling to complement Enfield rifle projects.
- Inspection confirms S.S.H. LTD 1942 stamp and wartime style property marks – no unit or personal name markings observed.
- Webbing, hardware and finish consistent with World War II era production and long term storage.