*Canada, Dated 1952, 1951 Pattern Webbing (WE’51) No 4 Bayonet Frog. Mint Unissued Condition*
Marked 1952, S on the reverse.
The Pattern 1951 olive green web belt frog was designed to carry the No. 4 socket bayonet and is classified by Carter as #190. These examples, especially in this color and condition, are rare to find as they were phased out in 1955.
By 1949, Canada was conducting user trials of new Canadian and American military equipment. The Korean War halted the proposed Americanization of the Canadian Army, leading Canada to initiate a modernization program focused primarily on Canadian designs which were inspired by both the British P37 set, and the US M1910 sets. In 1951, the Canadian Army approved a new set of web equipment, known as Web Equipment 1951 Pattern (WE’51).
The WE’51 bayonet frog was similar to the one issued with WE’37, but instead of khaki, it was made from dark green web material. It was based on the transitional 1942 frog design, which was developed to carry the spike bayonet used with the No. 4 rifle. This 1942 frog was an adaptation within the existing Pattern 1937 webbing system rather than a completely new WE design. It addressed the needs of the shorter spike bayonet by removing the upper loop, which had been used to stabilize longer sword bayonets. The frog also featured two narrower, closely spaced loops to fit the spike bayonet and its scabbard more effectively.
Two variations of the WE’51 frog were produced, as three different bayonet patterns were issued during its service life: the No. 4 bayonet for the No. 4 Lee-Enfield rifle, the X2E1 trials bayonet for the FN EX1 and EX2 rifles, and the C1 bayonet for the FN C1 rifle. The No. 4 and X2E1 bayonet scabbards fit the WE’51 frog without modification. However, when the FN C1 rifle and bayonet were adopted in 1955, a new, wider frog pattern was introduced to accommodate the C1 bayonet.
*Condition*
Excellent mint condition. We have a small number of these frogs and there may be minor variations in colour and the exact location of the rear markings. All items are in a similar condition and upon purchase a random one will be selected for you.
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