Restricted Issuing of rifle receiver covers and slings in 1944
I knew that receiver covers were not a standard issue item, but I was not aware that it was standard practice not to issue rifle slings.
It is an army memo dated 8th April 1944.
A. It limited issuing of receiver covers to—–
1. Only units in Manchuria and China
2. For other units, use was only allowed when there was a compelling need
B. All rifles slings as well as Type 96 and 99 LMG slings were also no longer issued unless to individuals, who were specialists that required free use of both hands or others with similar compelling reasons.