Most accurate, period correct sling?

[JorgeSKS]

Where could I find the most accurate period correct sling for my Chinese /26\ 10,000,000 side swivel SKS? There appears to be different variations of Chinese SKS slings available on Amazon and eBay ranging from $8 to $20. Which should I buy? Thanks guys.

[Justin Hell]

If you know Chinese lettering it helps. Sometimes you can locate stamped dated slings....but usually in Chinese characters.  Some sellers from China will state the year in the listing...but not often.  I want to say I got the correct year sling for my 65 10m /26\...but just checking it, it has the green painted buckles, which I think were later IIRC.   A stamping alone, should indicate that it is genuine, 7.62 will likely be the only recognizable thing in the stamping.

The prices will vary, but if it's a retailer that doesn't claim them to be original surplus, and they are inexpensive. They likely are NC Star reproductions.  Those have thumbscrews to hold the leather tabs together rather than stud buttons.  The thumbscrews are usually painted to color of the sling. The webbing is fine, but the leather ends are flimsy junk. Avoid those.

Ideally it should be OD green, and have leather tabs with silver barbell like studs the tabs fold over and button to.  There a few different types, but  you would want one with tabs on each end rather than one with a single tab that loops through the rear, those are less common...but really suck with a side swivel.  Avoid the ones with the spring coils as well...same reason, plus they can mar the side of the buttstock.

[Bacarnal]

What period would the "spring" keepers be in?  I have several of them.  Also, what's the consensus for the leather keepers, rough side out or smooth side out?  Personally, rough side out bugs me as much as an upside down bayonet  .

[Justin Hell]

What period would the "spring" keepers be in?  I have several of them.  Also, what's the consensus for the leather keepers, rough side out or smooth side out?  Personally, rough side out bugs me as much as an upside down bayonet  .

I am not certain if the spring type were even intended for the SKS at all.  I was a little underwhelmed once I had one in hand. I am fairly certain they were a late development, 70s maybe...for whatever they were intended for. I don't have a lot of knowledge on them...but I don't recall seeing them on an SKS unless the current owner got one and installed it.   

Rough side out?!  That's bonkers. Poppycock I tell ya!

[Larry D.]

What period would the "spring" keepers be in?  I have several of them.  Also, what's the consensus for the leather keepers, rough side out or smooth side out?  Personally, rough side out bugs me as much as an upside down bayonet  .

I am not certain if the spring type were even intended for the SKS at all.  I was a little underwhelmed once I had one in hand. I am fairly certain they were a late development, 70s maybe...for whatever they were intended for. I don't have a lot of knowledge on them...but I don't recall seeing them on an SKS unless the current owner got one and installed it.   

Rough side out?!  That's bonkers. Poppycock I tell ya!

I thought I saw one of the spring keeper types on one of the videos that sweaty Ben posted of the opening of the crates.

And - - - Smooth side out.