This is a fine condition example of a scarce Civil War era US Navy accoutrement, the belt frog for to hold the scabbard of a Dahlgren Bowie Bayonet or Plymouth Rifle Saber Bayonet. The frog would also likely be appropriate for a Model 1860 Naval Cutlass scabbard as well. The frog is made from blackened buff leather, wit the front blackened and the rear left undyed. The frog measures nominally 6” tall by 4” wide at the widest part. It is cut from two pieces of leather, the front face with the die cut section that accepts the frog stud from the scabbard, with a long piece at the top that is folded over the back and sewn to create a belt loop. The belt loop is nominally 2 ½” tall and 2 ½” wide. A trapezoidal backing piece is sewn to the rear of the frog below the belt loop to provide support for the frog. It is attached with a double row of stitching on the top and both sides with the bottom left open for the scabbard to pass through. The rear of the frog is stenciled in black ink in three lines, on the white buff backing piece:

U  S  N  Y

BOSTON.

1864.

The abbreviation “USNY” stands for United States Navy Yard.

Originally this frog was attached to the scabbard of a very fine condition 1864 dated Dahlgren Bowie Bayonet, but the buyer had no interest in the frog, despite the fact that it was rarest and least likely to be found for sale part of the set.

The frog remains in FINE condition and although it shows some wear, it shows absolutely no abuse. The front shows some light wear, minor scuffing and some minor fading and loss to the black dye. The white buff portion is moderately discolored due to wear. The stenciled marking remains about 90% intact and is fully legible with the most wear to the “1” in the date “1864” and the “S” and the “Y” in “U S N Y”. All of the original stitching remains intact and is solid and complete. The buff leather is inherently stiff, but it remains pliable enough to be added to a Dahlgren Bayonet scabbard, your Plymouth Rifle saber bayonet scabbard or even potentially a naval cutlass scabbard. 

Overall, this is a fine condition and well-marked example of a scarce Boston Navy Yard Marked Dahlgren Bayonet Frog. These belt frogs rarely appear on the market and when they do are usually mated with a belt rig or scabbard. Finding a loose one is quite uncommon. This would be a fantastic addition to your Civil War era US Navy accoutrement display or as an addition to your Dahlgren Bowie or Plymouth Saber bayonet scabbards, or even a naval cutlass scabbard. Don’t miss the chance to acquire this rare accoutrement for a very reasonable price, considering its rarity and condition.

SOLD