Chicom Type 56 Sling, SKS, Surplus

Here’s something special from the People’s Liberation Army. The Chicom type 56 sling for the SKS rifle. Also usable with many other guns and some bags. These are from the Cold War era, most likely the 70s or 80s. However, similar ones were also used in Nam.

Features

This is a pretty straightforward rifle sling. It is made of c. 27 mm (1.06") wide canvas and features 20 mm (0.8") leather tabs at both ends. The canvas is olive drab green in color and the leather parts are brown.

Use

This sling is designed for the SKS rifle sling mounts but works on any mount that can take at least 20 mm (0.8”) wide stuff through. You can also use these on bags that have suitable mounts.

The idea is pretty simple. You push the leather tab through the mount, bend it, and push the metal “rivet” through the slit in the leather. In the beginning, it can take quite a bit of violence since the leather is thick and not very supple.

A lot smarter option is to soften the leather tab with leather grease/wax/oil before putting the sling on your rifle. These have been stored in a warehouse for quite a while, so it is possible that leather has become even stiffer. So, without softening them, they might require a hefty dose of Finnish sisu and Koskenkorva before you get them on, which might damage the leather. After treating the leather and putting the sling on a few times, it will become a lot easier. You can also help it gently with a small screwdriver, for instance.

Condition

These are unissued military surplus of the People’s Liberation Army of China. So, they are pretty much in as good a condition as decades-old products can be. Of course, it is possible that there are some used ones here as well but they are all perfectly serviceable. The colors can be a bit faded, the fabric a bit worn, the leather a bit darkened and stiff, and there might be some warehouse dust on them, which just gives them credibility. If anything but mint condition gives you anxiety, buy a Chinese copy of the Chinese original. But that won’t be as cool as this.