Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good original German WWII leather rifle sling for the Karabiner 98k, retaining its steel buckle, leather buckle guard, sliding keeper, and leather-covered rear retaining piece or “frog.” The sling is hand stitched and made from quality leather that originally carried a full crosshatched surface pattern, much of which remains visible despite age and service wear. This same basic German Karabinerriemen pattern was also used with several other wartime weapons, including the G41, G43/K43, and MP43/MP44/StG44 families.

This is a very nice solid example that retains its steel buckle (Klemmstück) with the leather guard, though the blued finish is worn. The buckle pin (Klemmwaltze) is in good condition, and is the wartime production type with smooth ends. The inside of the buckle has the correct textured surface for a more secure length adjustment. The buckle is also maker marked L & F, for Linden & Funke KG of Iserlohn, one of four known subcontractors. The sling end frog (frosch) is correct and made from leather covered steel with a brass stud. The sliding keeper loop is present, which are often lost over the years.

The leather does have age and some cracking, but still shows most of the crosshatched embossing. The stitching is solid, and the leather covering on the frog is fully complete, with the stitching intact.

The Karabiner 98k was adopted by the German military in 1935 and remained the principal German bolt-action service rifle throughout WWII. Its sling arrangement was distinctive in that the leather strap passed through the stock and was secured at the rear by the leather-covered metal retaining piece rather than by a conventional rear sling swivel.

The same general sling pattern was later adapted for or used with several other German small arms introduced during the war. Specialist research identifies the J 216 Karabinerriemen as being used not only with the K98k but also with the G41(M), G41(W), G43/K43, MP43/MP44/StG44, and related weapons.

Condition overall is very good for an original wartime leather sling. The leather shows age and cracking but remains serviceable, the crosshatched surface pattern survives over much of its length, the stitching is solid, and the important steel buckle, leather guard, keeper loop, and leather-covered rear retaining piece are all present.

This example is particularly noteworthy for the combination of its surviving crosshatched leather, complete hardware, original keeper and frog, and L & F-marked wartime buckle associated with Linden & Funke KG of Iserlohn. Complete original K98k slings are increasingly difficult to find with all of their small components still present, making this a strong example for a period German rifle or equipment collection.