*German, WW1, M1895/05 ‘Butcher’ Bayonet Leather Frog with Faustriemen (Sword Knot) of the 11th Company (3.Ko- III.Bt), Dated 1915, Maker Marked Otto Koch & Co, Berlin S.O., BAG*
Marked on the back: 1915, Otto Koch & Co, Berlin S.O., BAG
A rare and much sort after addition to any WW1 German Butcher Bayonet is the often missing Frog especially one with the original Knot. Manufactured in a heavy gauge leather. The knot is of the standard type and relates to the 11th Company (3.Ko- III.Bt).
Mounted other ranks and NCOs of the regular German army that carried a sword or sabre (such as the cavalry and field artillery) wore a sword knot known as the “Faustriemen”. This consisted of a leather strap ending with a woollen loop above a fringed woollen knot.
The loop and knot for other ranks were in coded colours for the different squadrons or batteries. In the regular German army the 1st-5th squadrons of each cavalry regiment wore white, red, yellow, blue or green knots respectively, all with brown loops. The 1st-4th batteries with each artillery Abteilung wore white, red, yellow or blue knots respectively, with the three Abteilungen that made up an artillery regiment being distinguished by white, red or yellow loops respectively. The knot’s fringe was always white.
Officers and NCOs above the rank of Sergeant (“Vize-Feldwebel” and “Feldwebel”) wore a Portepee sword knot woven in metallic thread around the hilt of the sword with a closed rather than fringed knot.
*Condition*
Good used condition. This is a rare and sought after item. The Frog remains supple and strong with all stitching intact, aided by the four copper rivets. There are no splits or cracks. The makers mark remains clear. There is fraying on the Faustriemen as it crosses over on itself and it is dirty as one would expect on item of this age and service. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
JAQ#17125BO_6598191384
