When leather slings proved difficult to maintain during the Philippine "Pacification," the Army purchased the Mills web sling for use on issue Krag and, later, Springfield M1903 rifles. With the addition of sling hooks, they were also used as canteen and haversack slings to replace the leather slings. This sling was later adopted in slightly modified form by the British Army.  The early Mills sling is identified by its slightly wider web, brass keepers, and patent dates on the ends.  The end hooks were slightly small for the web, and there was a slight crimping on the strap where the hooks attached.  The WPG reproduction copies all of these original features.