"Correct" sling for a 1943 serialized Springfield M1903A3 rifle
This question has probably been raised more times than anyone would care to count, but for the newbie in the group, was the M1907 leather sling the only one issued with these rifles when they were distributed to the troops in WWII, or were canvas slings (OD, khaki?) issued as well. Appreciate the edification.
The leather 1907 sling would be the most correct. In all but one of the combat pictures of 1903A3s that I have seen they have had 1907 slings. I did see one picture of a GI in a liberated concentration camp near the end of the war and his 1903A3 had a kacki web sling. Either a 1907 sling, or an early kacki/light green, flat keeper web sling would be correct.
Also issued was the Kerr canvas sling and the standard M1 web sling.
The fact is, while there may have been an "official" sling, cleaning kit, or bayonet for a WWII rifle, what mattered is what the Ordnance shed had when you were issued the rifle.
The "Correct" sling at a specific time may have been the 1907 but if all the Ordnance people had in stock was a canvas M1 sling, guess what you got?
Also, the 1907 was often reserved for first line combat issue, so it's even more likely you would have gotten whatever canvas sling that might have been available.
So, in that respect, and given that the 1903-A3 was a second level rifle, there really isn't a "correct" sling. Slings would have included the 1907 leather, the Kerr, left over 1923 canvas, and M1 canvas. All depending on what was available.