General Service bayonet frog : British and colonial forces

Brown vegetable-tanned leather bayonet frog based on the General Service (Mark I and II) Pattern (described in List of Changes 5958 9985 6 October 1899). The frog is made from two pieces of leather: the loop which passes over the belt, and the front of the frog. It measures 9 inches (225 mm) in length and the loop measures 2 inches in width. The front is joined to the loop with stitching which extends two thirds up the loop. A small leather strap with brass buckle and roller with a keeper lies across the top of the front for securing the bayonet. A second line of stitching further secures the front to the loop. The cut for the bayonet stub is of a circular shape with a straight cut above. The maker's mark has been punched into the leather: 'HERBERT CARTER & CO MANUFACTURERS MELBOURNE'.

This bayonet frog is likely to have been worn as part of the equipment issued to a volunteer unit. The frog appears to be based on the General Service (Mark I and II) pattern. It would have had to be made before the introduction of the wider (70 mm) 1903 Pattern belt for use with 1888 Pattern equipment as the loop on this frog would not accommodate a 1903 belt.