Bayonet Frogs
of the Imperial German Colonial and Overseas Forces

Photos © Roy Williams and Chris Wood
 
The bayonet in its scabbard was attached to the belt by means of a leather frog. These bayonet frogs were usually marked (often on the rear) to show the issuing office (rather than the receiving unit as with bayonets). Most frogs were separate items that could be looped onto the belt. The frogs of the South West African Schutztruppe Equipment were riveted to the belt of their unique all in one sets (see above centre).

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This Schutztruppe bayonet frog is marked "K.A. 1909" showing it to have been issued by the Colonial Office ("Kolonialamt") in 1909.
Photo © Roy Williams		   This Schutztruppe frog is marked "K.A. 1906" showing it to have been issued by the Colonial Office in 1906.
 Photo © Chris Wood		   This Schutztruppe frog is marked "K.A. 1906" showing it to have been issued by the Colonial Office in 1906 and "Sch.Tr." for the  Schutztruppe.
Photo © Roy Williams
   
This Schutztruppe frog is marked "Sch.Tr." below an illegible date.
Photo © Roy Williams		   This is the integrated frog from a set of South West African Schutztruppe equipment. The frog is marked "K.A. 1908" showing it to have been issued by the Colonial Office in 1908.
 Photo © Chris Wood		   This frog has the "K.A." marking above "P.T..." for the Polizeitruppe. It is difficult to tell if it once read "PTK" for Polizeitruppe Kamerun or simply "PT" for Polizeitruppe Togo. Below that is the number 413, probably the weapon number, which appears to have been stamped on top of a previous date mark "19..."
Photo © Roy Williams

Another possible Polizeitruppe frog has been seen on the Militaria-Fund Forum marked "Pol. Tr.".
     
The frog of this naval bayonet is marked with a crowned "M" for "Marine" or navy. The bayonet is an S84/98aA from the II Matrosen Division as marked on the scabbard.
 Photo © Chris Wood		   The frog of this naval bayonet is marked "MD" for the Matrosen Division. The bayonet is an S98nA from the II Matrosen Division.
 Photo © Chris Wood		    
         

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