Bayonet frogs

FROGS

I seem to have fallen into collecting frogs, a bit by default really. If you want to collect frogs, then Anthony Carters book on bayonet frogs is the essential reference, and I have used his references for the frogs shown below (CBF XXX), or given credit to the person who has Identified a frog not to be found in Carter as despite the large number of frogs he has there are many not in the book . Several of these frogs are the less common ones available which I have bought for just that reason.

You will notice that I have several replica frogs attributed to Harry Savage, he has a growing site on frogs and can make ones specific to your needs

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Commercial, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Holland, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Rhodesia, Rumania, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, Unknown, USA, Yugoslavia

ARGENTINA
As a general rule for ARGENTINE ARMY leathers and webs: Mauser era leathers (from 1892) were brown (dark or light, curved or straight seam with/without brass/steel rivets were only slight differences according to maker and/or period and/or rank), but all frogs from that period has both right and left seam visible from the front side. Argentina decided to upgrade equipment in 1955 and changed between 1955-1965 from a Germanized uniform (grey earlier, brown later, always with brown leathers) & Mauser's to an US styled uniform (all green) & FALs, we switched (gradually...) from Mauser to FAL from 1960. Brown leather colour remained in service until 1965-1970 (also for earlier FAL leathers). From 1960-1965 all Mauser frogs were added with straps, some brown ones were modified hiding left seam. In 1970 almost all leathers were green, for Mauser or FAL, Mauser frogs made after 1970 were green, with strap and hidden left seam (not reformed). All FAL frogs were made with hilt strap and hidden left seam, also the very earlier brown ones. On 1979-1981 we started to use green synthetic web, former contractor was German Tempex, made here by MONOCROMO S.A. under Tempex license, on 1984-85 they went on bankruptcy... at the same time other argentine companies started to massive provide inexpensive web equipments to military and police forces In 1984-1985 all Mauser's and bayonets & leathers were retired of service, as well as all FAL leathers. Thanks to Gustavo Pablo Fierro for the identification and information
		Machete Frog
	CBF xxx	Machette frogs
		Argentina
		Argentina, this is missing one of the belt clips
		Argentine Marine, the brass ring is to take the frog stud from the FN FAL type A bayonet and allows the serial number applied to blade and scabbard to be seen whilst still in the frog thanks to Gustavo Pablo Fierro for the identification and information
		This frog is one of the early Mauser frogs for the 1891, it is normally found with steel rivets, it is possible that this brass is either very early or for NCO's thanks to Gustavo Pablo Fierro for the identification and information
	CBF5	Maker stamped ACH for 1891 an 1909 bayonets from period 1955-1960
	CBF5?	Central section of frog has been cleanly cut out for unknown reason.
		Not sure if the kink is original or due to age
		"For the Mauser bayonets but with a hilt strap added in the FN Fal style, circa 1970 or later thanks to Gustavo Pablo Fierro for the identification and information
		Frogs 1, 2 and 4 (from the left) are Mauser frogs with hilt strap, Frog 3 is for the FN as can be seen from th ecut out on the upper left front Thanks to Gustavo Pablo Fierro for the photographs and information
		1891/1909 mauser frogs, for all tastes: old sewing, staright sewing, brass rivet, steel rivet, painted rivet, without rivet, clear or dark brown... the last frog with brass clamp was recently obtained, possibly from the '30s-40s due to quality, thought to be used by NCOs, officers didn't carry a rifle bayonet on those years. (to be confirmed) Stamps: arg crest and "OC IN 2-0065" = Orden de Compra de Intendencia 2-0065 = Quartermaster Corps -supplies- Purcahse Order 2-0065 (figures meaning unknown, but this frog can be dated 1959-1969). D.G.M.E. (1921-1964) = DIRECCION GENERAL DE MATERIAL DE EJERCITO = Army Equipment General Management. Thanks to Gustavo Pablo Fierro for the photographs and information
		Interesting frog attached directly to the cover of a shovel Thanks to Gustavo Pablo Fierro for the photographs and information
		This is an FN FAL frog with its hilt strap lost. The cut out on the left side is for the flash guard prongs on the Type A bayonet.
		Replaced strap in unfinished leather
		Mauser bayonet with strap
	CBF 2	two different manufacturers with slightly different shapes and location/style of markings
		Frog for a Machete
	CBF***	Engineers frog
	CBF ***	Mauser with lost retaining strap

		Dress(?) frog for the FN FAL, I have an ammo pouch with the same corduroy appearance Argentine Navy frog for the 1891/1909 Bayonet thanks to Gustavo Pablo Fierro for the identification and information

AUSTRALIA
	CBF14	Cut down 84-98 with a less common Australian Frog 7th Light Horse? originally issued frog Uncommon maker- Commonwealth Government Harness Factory Additional info courtesy of Ian Mclean of Australia)
		Australia Blackened web frogs
	CBF17	Viet Nam period modification to the 37 pattern webbing, by the addition of belt hooks for American style webbing belts
	CBF17mod	Seldom seen tan version of the more normal green frog
	CBF17mod	Blackened version of the normal green frog.

AUSTRIA
		Dress frog for the 1895 bayonet.
	CBF 029	shows remains of original black finish, but alos shows clear indications of the austrian 1895 style frog stud on the leatherpictures requested
		Post war Gendarmarie
		interesting dual frog, not sure what it is for but doesnt seem to be a tool holder or helve carrier
		Not sure if the kink is original or due to age
		Austria dress frog, maker marked
	CBF 29	Frog for the 1895 Manlicher
		Various Austro-German frogs, many are modified and you can see removed rivets, profile changes - including cutting through originl rivets.
		Austrian or German Mannlicher frog
		Austrian or German Mannlicher frog, ersatz with web backing
		Austrian or German Mannlicher frog
		Austrian or German Mannlicher frog
		Austrian or German Mannlicher frog
		Austrian or German Mannlicher frog
		Austrian or German Mannlicher frog
		Nasty copy isn't big enough to take scabbard, good leather but horrible tooling and scaling, came with one i wanted
		Modified bottom to frog to give frilled edge
		Austrian or German Mannlicher frog
		Austrian or German Mannlicher frog
		Austrian or German Mannlicher frog
		Austrian or German Mannlicher frog
		Austrian or German Mannlicher frog
		Austrian or German Mannlicher frog

BELGIUM
	CBF 434	Early unmodified frog
	CBF 43	Missing the upper strap shown in Carter, marked D D on front
		1889 Leather frog, these can also be found modified by the Germans during WWII
	CBF xxx	1916 modified to fit the HUK No4
	CBF xxx	Identified by Graham Priest, this is a post war Belgian Airforce web frog
	---	Just freely available is a web frog for the FN FAL Tubular bayonet, there are several variations to this frog both in colour and style - i have heard of around 30 so far. The interesting thing is that the hilt strap is loose and moves up and down. This is made by Miles Equipment Company in 1951.
		1944 made frog for UK No4

BULGARIA
	CBF xxx	1888 frog with interesting surface, is this some form of dress frog?
	CBF xxx
	CBF xxx
	CBF xxx
	CBF xxx
	CBF xxx	Very narrow waited frog for the 84/98 or VZ24 bayonets
	CBF xxx	Replaced front and large shield stamp on rear
	CBF xxx	riveted frog with what appears to be a replaced front and the same large shield stamp as seen on others
	CBF xxx	Dress frog with dummy strap
	CBF xxx	Repaired German made frog with Shield stamp
	CBF xxx	Very rough leather finish
		Ersatz frog made from hessian
	CBF xxx
	---	The front of the frog has been replaced (period) with late war thin leather face that almost appears to be like paper (style of front is more that of one for an 1895 than an 84/98). Frog is marked as 1940 made 4th INTENDENTURA which translates as something like supply department (thank you Adam Lubas).
	CBF xxx	Front replaced with thinner face for VZ or 1895 bayonet
		WWII Mannlicher frog
		Comparison of early middle and late war Bulgarian frogs
		Pre or early WWII VZ24 frog, shows thick heavy leather and is substantial in construction
		Mid WWII VZ24 frog sees the fog thickness reducing significantly to save materials, quality is still high
		Late WWII VZ24 frog shows loss in quality over the earlier production and leather thickness is substantially thinner.
		Black leather for AKM
		Brown leather for AKM
		Leather and green webbing for AKM

CANADA
	CBF***	Short frog for the C1 bayonet with soldiers name on rear
		Canada Oliver patter for entrenching tool helve as well as blade
		Reproduction of the Oliver bayonet frog
		Ross Bayonet Frog has brass button to fix it onto the belt
		Canadian Ross frog modified to fit the 1907
	CBF 187	1915 pattern only made between 1915 and 1917. This is marked H Carson and Co Ottowa on the hilt strap which is the lead contractor, there are no other makers marks identifiable, only 22 on back and 2 on the front
	CBF 188	1925 pattern frog for the RCAF original frog for the 1907 modified frog for the No4 has an additional line of stitching to tighten the frog on the No4 bayonet 1941 date on one of the frogs
	CBF 488	I believe this is the 1982 pattern frog but with a press stud rather than the normal Velcro fastening for the hilt strap
		Late pattern plastic dress frog for the L1A2 bayonet
	CBF 171	1948 produced No4 frog with stitched slit in upper band, made by GEW
	CBF 194
		Web No4 frog
		1940 made frog with a new middle strap with vertical stitching at either end of the slit to fix the scabbard into the frog with Canadian acceptance mark and makers mark on the rear
		Trial frog for Canadian Army Services Corps
		Frog for the Eickhorn 2000 bayonet
		Early pattern C7 bayonet frog uses a single hilt strap
		Late pattern C7 frog has strap on rear to attach to pack

CHILE
		French emergency bayonet frog from FP war was supplied to Chile, am example is shown in the Chilean army museum and is marked as supplied by a French company, Pictures supplied by Andrés Humberto Sepúlveda Salinas

CHINA
	CBF***	Frog for the 1935 Chiang Kai Sheck rifle bayonet

COMMERCIAL
		Not so much a frog as attachment straps to hold the Camillus BK&T bayonet onto equipment harnesses

		unknown frog came on an 1895
		Generic frog for sword or bayonet

CZECHOSLOVAKIA
		unknown frog came on an 1895
		German frog on Czech VZ24 converted to German pattern without muzzle ring
		Czech frog that came on an 84/98 German bayonet
	CBF 321	Modified VZ bayonet scabbard as used by the Germans, has added "cavalry" strap
	CBF xxx	Double frog missing the leather hanging straps
		Czech NBC scabbard/frog combination

DENMARK
	CBF 206	reproduction frog for the 1867 sword bayonet or the 1899 knife bayonet. missing the top rivets shown in carter
		M1867 copy by Harry Savage
		Adaptor for M1. White version is Navy
		Danish adaptor to allow US style hooked bayonets scabbards to fit on UK style web belts
		Converter to allow US style scabbards to fit Danish belts for P17
		Converter to allow US style scabbards to fit Danish belts for P17
		Converter to allow US style scabbards to fit Danish belts for P17
		M1 hanger several slight variations in color and webbing, also rivets
		Converter to allow US style scabbards to fit Danish belts for M1

FINLAND
		This is a Finnish frog used as a carrier for an axe and its handle, but is the third set of hoops for an 1891?

FRANCE
		repro all riveted 1866 frog
	CBF***	Early pattre 1866 frog(although made till 1901) has none of the strengthening stitching found on later patterns
	CBF***	converted 1886 frog modified to single belt strap
	CBF 246	A full harness containing magazine pouches etc. the frog holds a 1892 bayonet across the chest. The bandolier was made for the Spahis French North African Light cavalry recruited from Algeria and Morocco. This is a copy sold by IMA
	CBF	Original 1874 Gras frog
	CBF 222	Lebel 1886
		1874 rivetted frog with unit mark
		French Lebel , reproduction by Shaman
	CBF 319	Emergency frog made during the Franco Prussian war period
	CBF 242	1892 Berthier
	---	Reproduction Chassepot frog made by Harry Savage, (Shaman15 on EBAY) excellent quality reproduction

GERMANY
		probably a tool holder
	CBF***	Interesting conversion of a french 1886 Lebel frog possibly to take an S98 type bayonet. German is trentative based on aluminium stud, but it could be post WWI Eastern Ruopean as well. Any hints woudl be appreciated.
	CBF***	Aamzingly simple frog from a single strip of leather, it is suggested it came from a belt but there is significant agign that does not look artifical. would love to know if there is another one out there.
		Converted pre war frog to hold French Lebel bayonet as used by the Germans for rear echelon troops in WWII. The cut out in the lower portion is square and not round as the reproduction ones I have, thi sis probably to be used with Czech style L shaped frog studs, while the half round cut out is for the later VZ 24 style frog stud.
		For the 1895 courtesy of Roy williams and Yannick at AFCB
		German found on an EB40b ersatz bayonet
		German 84-98
		German 84/98
		Fake 98/05
		German WWI frog for the Austrian 1895
		1932 dated frog for 84/98
	CBF xxx	Repaired 98/05 frog
		Frog has been cut down level with top rivets and the sewn seam opened to allow this to fit on belt, is this period or done to allow a cut off frog to be used?
		Luftwaffe frog with Flak unit markings. 22nd unit LBA(S) is luftwaffe marking
		German with KVM makers marking
		Poor condition frog found on a shortened S98 bayonet
		German dress frog for the Postal services. Has a metal back plate to protect uniform and is marked DRP - Deutsches Reich Post
		Frog found on Ersatz 88/98 bayonet
		Marine(?) marked frog from Norway, shows 1938 Kiel makers mark
		1940 dated
		Found on a cut down UK 1907
		1940 date on Kregsmarine frog Painted mark on frog is similar to unit marks found on the front of German vehicles of the time (ID please?)
		1938 Luftwaffe frog in brown leather, makers mark shows a 1938 date
		German frog found on Austrian WWI ersatz scabbard containing a cut down UK 1907 Luftwaffe (LBA) acceptance mark. Bayonet came from Belgian France border and had been found in this combination. Wear on the scabbard shows frog had been on it for an extended period
	CBF 287	German made frog for the 1888 and 1890 Austrian bayonets
	CBF 290?.	Patent leather dress frog on shortened S98 dress blade. Rear of frog is suede finish to prevent wear on uniform,
	CBF307	WWII produced frog for the German 98/05 bayonet, this one is dated 1940
	CBF 307	Fake frog
	CBF 310	84/98 frog Rare Kreigsmarine stamp
	CBF 310	with the hilt strap cut off
	CBF 316	Fake Afika Korps frog
		Copy of web Frog
	CBF 321	Czech VZ24 frog modified by the addition of the cavalry strap for use by the Germans
	CBF 563	German ally "bread bag" frog made from leather face sewn onto a canvas back. There are apparently two version of this with fine and coarse cloth, this is the fine cloth version. There has been a lot of discussion from a German frog collector (Stefan) regarding this frog and its identification as German made. Carters book does imply that that the Identification is open to discussion. The round hole is atypical of German blades but typical of many Eastern European made frogs. There is no photographic evidence of their use by German troops and they are most often found on VZ24 or commercial 84/98's, although at least one is reported as coming on an army blade picked up in Normandy. I am therefore identifying this a a frog used by a German Ally in WWII, probably Eastern European, until further clarification of its origin is forthcoming.
	CBF 318	Late WWII "skeleton" frog
	CBF 318	thanks to Andrew Adams for pictures
	CBF308	Brown would indicate Luftwaffe issue but there are no markings to prove this. Makers mark indicates 1938 made example
		A modified sword hanger used to carry a shortened Gras bayonet, complete with regimental marks. There are reported to be a least two more similar frogs in another collection
		Breadbag frog with orange thread Courtesy of Les
		Austrian frog converted by addition of hilt strap Courtesy of Les
		Modified Czech frog Courtesy of Les
		Frog wiht makers mark on front of frog, instead of the more normal rear face Courtesy of Les
		Crude addition of hilt strap Courtesy of Les
		Luftwaffe marked frog Courtesy of Les
		Frog marked to Flak unit Courtesy of Les
		Brown frog blackened on front face only marked G Schaule Courtesy of Les
		DAK frog Courtesy of Les
		Green Web Frog Courtesy of Les
		Luftwaffe web frog in blue courtesy of Les
		Web frog with mixed colors courtesy of Les
		Comparison of the varitions in web frog colors courtesy of Les
		Removed hilt strap courtesy of Les
		So called "Radiator Hose" frogs made from a rubberised fabric courtesy of Les
		Often referred to as a "Skeleton" frog courtesy of Les
		SS marked frog courtesy of Les
	CBF***	German 1895 frog
	CBF xxx	Repaired 98/05 frog






		Italian 1891 frog with front replaced with mauser front section courtesy of Les
		Luftwaffe fighter squadron marked courtesy of Les
		Wilhelm Mansen \&Braun Solingen 1938 courtesy of Les
		R Ehrhardt Poessheck 1937 courtesy of Les
		TIWO Heidelberg 1942 courtesy of Les
		RFN Number marked courtesy of Les
		RBN Number marked courtesy of Les
		KM stamp courtesy of Les
		xxxx Schull Hamburg 15 1935 courtesy of Les
		Roesch Rohreach 1940 courtesy of Les
		Mauser 1943 courtesy of Les
		E Halling 1938 courtesy of Les
		Lagesa Dresden 1938 courtesy of Les
		jfg 1943 courtesy of Les
		JueVal Adam 1942 courtesy of Les
		A Hellmuth Berlin 1940 courtesy of Les
		A Hellmuth Berlin 1935 courtesy of Les
		Gustav Frodech courtesy of Les
		Gebr Graf 1940 Courtesy of Les
		Furhuringen Courtesy of Les
		FSL marked courtesy of Les
		1937 CH Sodel made frog Courtesy of Les
		Hegemann Mettwig 1935 courtesy of Les

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