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Frogs for Bayonets, Machetes and Swords |
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Leather frogs to carry edged weapons came in a wide number of styles during the Spanish colonial period. Many are clearly regulation patterns or close variations, but many others defy easy classification and their use in the colonial period is known only by their historical association with other artifacts or documented as the souvenir of a known American veteran. Most were made in Spain but a significant number were of local colonial manufacture. Some examples may have been foreign made, such as those supplied with American or German made machetes. French style saber bayonet frogs have been noted in period photographs and may have come form suppliers in France.
The single shot breech loading rifles issued to Spanish forces were, for the most part, issued with socket bayonets. In a few cases saber bayonets were also issued. Frogs for the socket bayonets will be found in many slight variations. Most will be based on the 'straight' style pictured in the Royal Order of 1886 and in a typical Spanish style with a 'bulge' on the side of the back. Socket Bayonet Frog: Model 1886 Infantry Equipment Example A
Black leather with typical Spanish 'bulge' to protect the uniform from the socket. The scabbard attaches to the frog with a leather tab that laces through the two slots. The high quality of craftsmanship indicates that it is of Spanish manufacture. Socket Bayonet Frog: Model 1886 Infantry Equipment Example B
Black leather frog of similar design as "Example A" but with iron frame buckle to secure the scabbard tab. A bit cruder in quality to the first example, it could be of either Spanish or local colonial manufacture. Socket Bayonet Frog: Model 1886 Infantry Equipment Example C
Artifact courtesy Minnesota Military Museum Straight sided black leather frog with buckle as depicted in the Royal Order of 1886. Socket Bayonet Frog: Model 1886 Infantry Equipment Example D
Straight sided brown leather frog with buckle. Possibly a locally made colonial example. Formerly in my collection, the current owner and location is unknown. Photo details of socket bayonet frogs
Although most of the single shot breech loading rifles issued to Spanish forces were issued with socket bayonets, a number of different import saber bayonets were also issued. Most of these were of American or French design and origin and intended for use with the Remington rolling block rifles and musketoons. In general, they were not issued to regular forces but saw service with the Volunteers and some paramilitary police organizations such as the Orden Publico. Saber Bayonet Frog: Volunteer Equipment
Volunteer saber bayonet frog of black enameled leather. Locally made in Cuba. Photo details of saber bayonet frogs
The Model 1886 Infantry equipment had several of its components updated during the 1893 - 1895 period to accommodate the new Mauser rifle and its knife bayonet. Mauser Knife Bayonet Frog: Model 1886 Revised Infantry Equipment Example A
The Model 1886 Infantry equipment had several of its components updated during the 1893 - 1895 period to accommodate the new Mauser rifle and bayonet. This Spanish made frog of black leather has a tab to secure the frog stud on the scabbard of the Model 1893 knife bayonet. Mauser Knife Bayonet Frog: Model 1886 Revised Infantry Equipment Example B
Simple black leather frog found with other colonial artifacts, including "Example A" above. Believed to be of local manufacture. Mauser Knife Bayonet Frog: Model 1896 Colonial Infantry Equipment Example A
Dark brown leather frog made in Spain. Made of one piece of leather folded and sewn together. A component of the special Infantry equipment issued during the last few years of Spanish rule. Mauser Knife Bayonet Frog: Model 1896 Colonial Infantry Equipment Example B
A similar example with the name and company letter of an American soldier inscribed on the reverse. Mauser Knife Bayonet Frog: Local Cuban Manufacture Variant
Brown Leather locally made frog manufactured in the small town of Camajuani, Cuba.
*Under Construction*
*Under Construction*
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