Roleia Clasp Face – Contemporary Tailor’s Copy for the Military General Service (MGS) Medal

Roleia clasp face – a contemporary tailor’s copy, period-made replacement face plate for the Military General Service Medal 1793–1814 campaign clasp.

This contemporary tailor’s copy faithfully reproduces the front face of the “Roleia” clasp issued with the Military General Service Medal (MGS) 1793–1814. Unlike modern reproductions, these period-made tailor’s copies were manufactured during the Victorian period by military outfitters and medal specialists for wear on privately mounted medal groups, replacement of damaged clasp components, or completion of original medals where official parts were unavailable. Today, they are recognised by collectors as historic artefacts reflecting nineteenth-century medal mounting and collecting practices.

The original Roleia clasp was awarded to officers and men of the British Army who took part in the Battle of Roliça (Roleia) on 17 August 1808 during the Peninsular War. The action was the first major battle fought by British forces under Sir Arthur Wellesley (later the Duke of Wellington) during the campaign in Portugal against the French army commanded by General Henri Delaborde.

The British and Portuguese forces successfully forced the French to withdraw after a series of attacks against defensive positions near Roliça. Although a relatively small engagement, the battle marked an important early success for the British army in the Peninsular campaign and demonstrated the effectiveness of Wellesley’s command and tactics.

The Roleia clasp is one of the earliest and most historically significant clasps issued with the Military General Service Medal, awarded retrospectively in 1847 to surviving veterans of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Examples are highly sought after by collectors of Napoleonic medals, British Army history, and early nineteenth-century campaign awards.

As this example is the clasp face only, it represents the engraved front plate that would originally have been fitted to the clasp body. Original clasp faces are considerably scarcer than complete clasps, having often been separated during repairs, alterations, or restoration work over many decades. Contemporary tailor’s copy clasp faces provide an excellent insight into Victorian medal outfitting and the long collecting history of MGS awards.

This example would make an excellent addition to a collection of Military General Service Medal 1793–1814 components, Napoleonic campaign medal restorations, or British military memorabilia.

Condition

Good overall unfinished condition, with age-related wear consistent with a contemporary tailor’s copy. Light rubbing, surface marks, and signs of previous fitting may be present. An attractive period-made clasp face suitable for restoration, display, or specialist collecting.