Original M4 strap

[Fraser]

Could anyone tell me did the M4 come with a leather strap or a webbing strap?
Any pics of original adverts?

Cheers.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

Fraser, Was originally a leather strap with a rubber pad. Unfortunately I'm not at home so all I can provide is a web link. The webbing straps came later.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=leic...hWSMn0KHWdiCPQQ9QEIKzAA#imgrc=dcMgnpbrds60eM:

 

[Fraser]

Fraser, Was originally a leather strap with a rubber pad. Unfortunately I'm not at home so all I can provide is a web link. The webbing straps came later.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=leic...hWSMn0KHWdiCPQQ9QEIKzAA#imgrc=dcMgnpbrds60eM:

cheers............

 

[Erik van Straten]

This is it. I collected them, but they're hard to find now.


Erik.

 

[mpaniagua]

Oh I use that one with my M5.

It feels pretty comfortable.

Regards

Marcelo.

 

[a.noctilux]

This is it. I collected them, but they're hard to find now.

Erik.

Erik,
Do they stay usable and complete ?

I have some that the shoulder pad decayed over time.
The leather strap itself stays usable but no pad it's uncomfortable in use.

 

[Gregm61]

Probably depends to some extent where the strap was used the first 40+ years of its life.

I bought an M4 complete with its strap and pad from a guy in Northern California where it was bought new. Strap and shoulder pad are both fine.

 

[mpaniagua]

Mine is still usable. Looks pretty weathered but pad is still usable and comfortable. I suppose it depends on the use/abuse conditions?


Marcelo

 

[Deleted member 65559]

I agree, I have 3 or 4. On one, the pad got incredibly stiff, on another the pass through straps where the leather strap goes through the pad, failed. The other 2 are still perfect. The leather strap itself is great.

 

[Fraser]

This is it. I collected them, but they're hard to find now.


Erik.

I bought similar for my M2 without the pad but never really trust it as its not in the best condition.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

As long as they are not dried out and totally stiff or cracked, they are totally reliable. I think Erik VS mentioned somewhere that the leather came from the skin of aborted calf fetuses. This kind of leather is strong, thin and remarkably smooth. Properly cared for these straps last very well.

 

[mpaniagua]

As long as they are not dried out and totally stiff or cracked, they are totally reliable. I think Erik VS mentioned somewhere that the leather came from the skin of aborted calf fetuses. This kind of leather is strong, thin and remarkably smooth. Properly cared for these straps last very well.

Now that you mentioned that, I'm kinda hesitant to use mine 😛

Seriously they are quite reliable. Been using that on my M5 with a Summilux 50 f1/4 and never felt anything but reliability.

Regards

Marcelo