Bayonet Frog - Mauser KAR 98k, 1938 KAR 98 BAYONET FROG. (Seitengewehrtasche für K98) The KAR 98 bayonet was a modification of the already modified S84/98 bayonet that had been originally developed in 1915. Manufacture of this new modified bayonet began in 1934 with mass production beginning in 1936. The KAR 98 bayonet was a standard issue item and was accompanied by a bayonet frog to be worn on the reverse left side of the weight bearing waist belt. The K98 bayonet remained the standard issue bayonet through-out the war with minor manufacturing variations. As the war continued the quality of the bayonets deteriorated and in mid-1944 most manufacturers discontinued producing the bayonet to concentrate on producing other essential war materials. Originally the German army utilized two patterns of bayonet frogs with one pattern for unmounted personnel and another pattern with the addition of a horizontal retaining strap for mounted personnel. Regulations of 25 January 1939 dictated that the bayonet frog without the retaining strap was to be discontinued and replaced by the bayonet frog with the horizontal retaining strap for all personnel although the changeover was never completely achieved. In 1942, due to leather shortages, another simplified or skeletonized version of the bayonet frog was introduced which were easier to produce and utilized less leather.