I'm wondering if there even was "one" sling and swivels they used.
I'm thinking it was like some of the sights of the same period, they use whats available. Kind of like a Lyman #6 and a Marbles #95, we've seen both on the 99K's and to many of the 95's to say someone switched it out. When the box runs dry they order whatever is available or a better price.
That's a thought. Especially if Winchester didn't actually make their own swivels. Swivels on both of mine look like the Winchester swivels in Calhoun's pic. The Savage studs are basically screw-in models, like modern "Uncle Mike's" (or etc.)... could have been made by anybody... but larger diameter... so the swivel jaws have to be proportionally wider too... and all of mine are that same wider width.
The Winchester "studs" aren't. The forend hanger is part of the magazine holder, not a screw-in at all. And the rear is a longer piece, inletted into the stock, and attached with two separate screws so there's no chance of rotating as with a more modern single-screw version. I might more logically guess those are Winchester-made parts...
The 71 was made from 1935 to 1958. Seems very feasable that the leather might have changed in that time.
The Winchester guys say the keepers should have the diamond staple.
I'd agree with that, but Jack also said Winchester never cataloged one-piece slings and never used rawhide keepers.
Not easy to see in my pics, but the keepers on mine do have the diamond shape staples.
-Chris