Frog, belt, waist, Sam Browne. (Mark I.)
Frog, belt, waist, Sam Browne. (Mark II.)
Stores Ref. A1/AA 0985 Frog, Sam Browne
Stores Ref. CN/AA 0985 Frog, Sam Browne

Despite very obviously comprising three distinct and separable parts, the Frog and Steadying strap were considered to be part of the Belt. Whilst the Strap is appended as Detail, the Frog receives no mention! Thus there was no item with the above nomenclature. It comprised two trapezoidally shaped leather pieces, stitched into a sandwich. Short straps, of 1 inch width, carrying studs were stitched to the front face, aligned in a “V” shape to match the sword rings. Longer straps were stitched to the rear face, folded over and fastened to the studs through punched holes. Two brass runners secured the running ends. At the junction of the front “V” strap was another stud. The tab on the Supporter, scabbard fastened to this stud and a buckled strap, working in slits cut through front and back of the Frog, prevented the scabbard being pulled out of the Frog. The top rear edge of the frog body had a brass loop, used for “hooking-up”. This Mk. I example is from the John Bodsworth Collection. Photograph © John Bodsworth 2010.

 

 

The Mark II Belt announced by LoC 11267, approved in 1902 gives rise to this, although it does not formally appear until 1918, when LoC 21689 separated the Frog and Steadying strap and gave formal nomenclatures for them. In the period. The Mark II was made lighter, so had ¾-in. straps and the stud adjustment changed to a tongued buckle, though this was not detailed. Applying logic – something the Army was not given to – the Mark II form should be the form that, today, has a NATO Stores Number. If that is the case, then these have a Double buckle, not a Single-, nor a Single roller buckle. The example at left should therefore be a Mark II. For LoC C 4686, reference should be made to the Waist belt. From the Rog Dennis Collection. Photograph © Rog Dennis 2010.

 

 

 

Frog, belt, waist, Sam Browne. - Variants

Frogs were originally made with 1-inch wide straps, fastened with a stud. Later versions fastened with Single buckles (Half-buckles in civilian parlance), Single roller buckles, and Double buckles. The Frog body can be found in various shapes and sizes, with backs much larger than fronts, others with equally sized pieces and also include bodies made from folded pieces of leather, stitched only down one edge – the form of Sam’s own Frog. The short strap, passing through both front and rear of the Frog body, was later dispensed with.The variant example at left has a Single buckle. From the Rog Dennis Collection. Photograph © Rog Dennis 2010.

 

 

This interesting variant is the Mk. I "Cavalry" Frog. Note the raised back section of this Frog. Whilst Infantry Pattern swords have hinged or rolled guards, to prevent abrading the tunic, Cavalry swords were of various designs, all with large guards, none of which were hinged. Even today's standard, the Patt. 1912, has no rolled edge. The Sealed Pattern Frog shown in The Dress Regulations, 1900, would work only with Infantry swords. Logically, it must've occurred to extend the back section upwards, so that the Guard rubbed on that. This example is a recent addition to the Karkee Web Collection, and with the work on our new officers' section, we haven't had time to take proper pictures of it just yet. We will rectify this as soon as possible.