LATE WAR FROG Leather over canvas or other materials?

I have what I believe is a late war frog. The surface appears to be some kind of thin pebbled leather but the core of this looks like some kind canvas or other material. There is some edge fraying, mostly where the sheath catch attaches. I have never seen this before and I am wondering if it is real? I am unable to find another example in my searching. Pictures enclosed. Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

Presstoff? Kind of looks like it but I can't really zoom too well.

It could be various material on frog, post 1941/2 were proofed probably various materials as replacements for leather, so it could be earlier made as the 1944. It could be syntetic leather over a cloth material, i saw a paper based material too. Unfortunally no stamps there or dating, Slash is the expert on frogs.b.r.Andy

heavy_mech said:

Presstoff? Kind of looks like it but I can't really zoom too well.

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+1 I think so too!

Look here...

http://www.k98kforum.com/showthread.php?24681-The-S84-98-T3-Frog-Ersatz-Variants

and here...

http://www.k98kforum.com/showthread.php?28558-Laminated-Paper-Frog&highlight=S84%2F98+bayonet+frogs

Based on all of the helpful information I have received here, I am very confident this is as described by all of you. I was unaware of this type of frog but it makes perfect sense based on other materials and processes used during the war, namely early US helmet liners. Thank you!

dtrsss said:

Based on all of the helpful information I have received here, I am very confident this is as described by all of you. I was unaware of this type of frog but it makes perfect sense based on other materials and processes used during the war, namely early US helmet liners. Thank you!

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Cool frog. German e-tool carriers were made of this exact material, so were MG. tool/parts carriers for MG.34/42 crew, some holsters, etc., so it simply makes sense that frogs were too.

Hambone said:

Cool frog. German e-tool carriers were made of this exact material, so were MG. tool/parts carriers for MG.34/42 crew, some holsters, etc., so it simply makes sense that frogs were too.

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This frog, like other composite patterns, was of very limited production. The laminated fabrik and rubber ones are both associated with firms whom supplied holsters, belts & frogs to the German Police organizations. Many of the white/parade/honor guard ones also seem to have a similar association. My observation of the laminated paper pattern is they almost always turn up without a bayonet mounted...in fact the one I found with the "43cvl is maybe one of two examples I ever saw on a bayonet. IMHO all of these were experiments in an attempt to find a suitable replacement for leather...and most failed. They were deemed unsuitable for front-line, combat application. Therefore, the frogs were issued to para-military organizations where they would not be subjected to the rigors of combat. In doing so, this allowed the leather resource to be used most effectively and where it was needed. As mentioned, the Germans made a number of carriers, etc. from "presstoff" material which was issued for field use, and the laminated paper frog would be numbered among them.

Here is a very similar frog. Constructed of a rigid fibrous rubberized material over course cloth within. The surface is textured to create a leather-like appearance. It doesn't show up well in the pics but the stitching is an unusual yellowish white cotton thread. The upper rivets are rather unusual in a larger flat configuration with electroplated finish and are magnetic. The bottom rivets are the more standard variety with washers and fabricated from steel. The frog is unmarked. Like others have stated these ersatz material frogs most probably date from 1942 - '42 as manufacturers attempted (unsuccessfully) to find alternatives to leather. A number of variations in different materials exist. Will dig some out and take additional photographs as reference.

Thanks for sharing this one Slash. Neither seen nor knew about this variant. Looks like it might have been along the lines of the C Reise rubber "radiator hose" frog, but of a slightly different composition and pattern. Though unattributed, makes one wonder whom made it...