December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
A scarce example of a French Royal Army crossbelt with double-frog for "briquet" (hanger or short saber) and bayonet used by grenadiers, "chasseurs" (light infantrymen) and sergeants as officially introduced in 1779 (although there is some evidence to suggest it was already in use with certain corps at an earlier date). It was intended to replace the waistbelt with double-frog previously in use; at the same time, a cross- or shoulder belt with a single frog was introduced for enlisted men in fusilier companies, whose bayonet scabbard were attached to the front of the cartridge box belt. The buff belt is 54 inches long by 2 3/8 inches wide and its tip buckles into a wide brass buckle with two tines sewn to the top rear of the front frog (for the sword). The double frog is approximately 5 across at top and 5 1/2 inches long at the front edge. Each frog has a centered 1-inch slit cut 1/2 inch down from the top edge or mouth of the frog, which accommodated the brass stud or "button" on the scabbard throat. In 1791 this pattern of crossbelt was modified by the addition of a buckle sewn to each frog in lieu of the slit, which accepted small straps attached to the throat of the sword and bayonets scabbards instead of the traditional button. The front of the belt bears traces of pipeclay, while on the back can be found indecipherable unit markings, apparently purposely rubbed or scraped out, with later issue numbers stenciled over them: "2/9/39" and "149". CONDITION: overall good and complete, with a mended 2 1/4 in. slit down the front of the sword frog.