Bayonet frog

[Slater]

The frog shown is sold on various websites (including EBay) as a "Lee Enfield" or "No 4/9 bayonet frog". Is this indeed of UK origin?

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Without markings, I'd be doubtful. Even with, I'd be dubious.

[Slater]

It appears to be most similar to the Belgian example (synthetic/nylon variant).

Bayonet Belt Frogs - Argentina thru Denmark

[Flying10uk]

I've got a couple of similar looking examples which came with Pig-Sticker bayonets. I don't believe that they are of WW2 vintage and so I have put the Frogs on SLR bayonets. However, I don't know for sure that they are of British origin/use but they do look similar in style to earlier British examples apart from the colour of the webbing.

[Peter Laidler]

To be honest, during the era of '37 pattern webbing in the British Army - and it didn't end in 1958 as some who weren't even there at the time would have you believe........, there were about a zillion different variations of bayonet frogs. There were those from the No1 bayonet era with wide scabbard bit and top loops, those with narrow bits and no loops........ It goes on and on and on. And some almost new looking together with slings, dating from the 20's were still being issued - as were '40's anklets and other odds and sods.

Add to that the colour variations of about 100 different shades of khaki, white, blue, waxed (won't take blanco...)........ it's endless!

When I was talking about Sten slings to Carl Woods, (shaggy dog story coming up.....) I did ask the obvious about whether there was anything special webbing for the Sten and we got on about bayonet frogs. To which he commented that just webbing bayonet frogs and the variables could make the subject of a separate book! As for the newly made repros, it'd be endless!

Incidentally, after the early 80's we had a big purge AGAINST nylon or nylon mix/impregnated webbing but it seems to have been quietly forgotten now in the quest for speed and cheapness. Alas, the burns it causes and the further injuries it causes when being surgically removed aren't so easily forgotten

[Slater]

With such a bewildering variety of variations out there, presumably the fakes are getting harder to tell from the genuine ones?

[Flying10uk]

Peter, if it was a British frog and assuming it's new (un-isued) would there normally be expected to be a stores number/marking on it? If it's un-isued and with no markings, stores or manufacturer's, can we assume it's likely not to be of British origin? Thanks

[Peter Laidler]

I really don't have a clue about webbing and markings. I do know that of '37 pattern, I wore a lot, I blancoed a lot, cleaned a lot of brass attached to it and woe betide anyone that let any brasso get onto the webbing or who had a spot of blanco on the brass. I wore and scrubbed and hosed down a lot of patt '44 and knew how to make it comfortable and also wore and did the same to '58 pattern. That's all I know about it