An original WW1 German 98/05 leather bayonet frog. This example remains structurally sound, with all four original rivets present and tight, and the stitching fully intact throughout. There are no rips, tears or repairs, and the frog still retains its correct shape.

Much of the top grain has worn back over time, leaving the leather with a softer, suede-like surface, a typical form of age related wear seen on century-old German frogs that have dried naturally.

Despite the suede like wear to the outer finish, it is still firm and holds shape. In my opinion, this frog is ideally suited for a 98/05 bayonet, showing comparable honest wear.

Recommended Reference:

For collectors interested in German bayonet equipment, we highly recommend the excellent reference work “A Collector’s Guide to German Bayonet Belt Frogs 1825-1945” by Roy Williams. It provides clear examples, construction details and period variations that are invaluable for identifying and comparing original WW1 and WW2 frogs. A superb resource for anyone building a serious German bayonet collection.