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Have finally cornered a very nice No 5 Bayonet dated "46 for my "47 Faz JC and now need the Frog. Would like to keep this "period correct" but am unsure what that might be. Is any WW II date appropriate or should I be looking for something dated to the Carbine and or the Bayonet? Thanks for your help.
If you're looking for a 1946 and beyond 'period correct' frog, then the Pattern 44 is your most likely candidate.
Lighter weight than a P37 and in dark green. These were the typical frogs used in Malaya and other post WW2 conflicts up to and including the Korean War.
There are several other options as other types were used depending upon the time and region, but the '44 is a safe bet and much easier to find than say No5 or No6 frogs used during the later part of that timeframe.
1946 Poole No5 bayonet with a P44 frog:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...5701a93e-1.jpg
We didn't have bayonet frogs in the Far East, certainly in Malaya, because the bayonet was fixed into a frog thinggy on the side of our 44 pattern pouches, similar to that copied for the 58 pattern webbing. And even in 'skeleton order' we would wear pouches.
Interesting. Were these issued in the late 40's - early 50's or in the later 50's -70's timeframe? Reason for my asking is your reference to skeleton order. Didn't the earlier P44 "drivers pouches" lack the upper set of C-clips to be worn lowered on the belt?Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
You've got ME thinking now. We never had 'drivers pouches' in Malaya and I recall that we only had one set of clips, low down on our pouches, that gripped our web belts. Our bayonets were always on the pouch and even when on guard duty or whatever, with bayonets fixed, it was always wearing pouches anyway. Everyone had a bayonet as I recall, regardless of your personal weapon.
Our 'skeleton order' in Malaya was belt, ammo pouches, double cross-straps (made it very comfortable) and water bottle. Skeleton order 'plus' was another water bottle and a big machette thing called a GOLLOCK or PANGA or was it a PARANG.
44 pattern stuff was VERY versatile, light, easily washable, durable, dried quickly, was soft-ish and didn't rub over our very light cotton weave shirts. And when assembled, just fitted over the end of your bed rail.
You have me thinking too as I know I have a left pouch w/integral frog in a box someplace. I always assumed it was a P58 until now. After pulling out Carters 3rd volume, he shows the evolution of the P44 up through the introduction of the P58. Apparently P44's were still being made well after the P58's arrival on the scene.
Now to find that pouch.....
Sometimes I wonder why I bought all this stuff just to be stored out of sight :dunno:
"...Is any WW II date appropriate..." Yep. His Majesty's Government didn't throw much of anything out in 1946. Mostly the same kit was used until after Korea.
"...why I bought all this stuff..." Your retirement fund too? Have all kinds of stuff that has skyrocketed in value since I bought it. Or acquired it.
No.6 frog, procured for the post-war bowie blades, here in white for the Navy.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...standard-1.jpg