Relief of Mafeking Clasp Face – Contemporary Tailor’s Copy for the Queen’s South Africa (QSA) Medal

Relief of Mafeking clasp face – a contemporary tailor’s copy, period-made replacement faceplate for the Queen’s South Africa (QSA) Medal campaign clasp.

This contemporary tailor’s copy faithfully reproduces the front face of the “Relief of Mafeking” clasp issued with the Queen’s South Africa Medal. Unlike modern reproductions, these period-made tailor’s copies were manufactured during or shortly after the Edwardian period by military outfitters for wear on uniforms, replacement of damaged clasp components, or completion of privately mounted medal groups. Today, they are recognised by collectors as historic artefacts in their own right, reflecting early twentieth-century military tailoring and medal-mounting practices.

The original Relief of Mafeking clasp was awarded to officers and men of the British Army, Colonial forces, and local defence units who took part in the operations connected with the relief of Mafeking during the Second Boer War. The clasp commemorates the successful lifting of the siege of the strategically important town of Mafeking in the Cape Colony after it had been surrounded and invested by Boer forces for 217 days.

Mafeking was defended by a mixed garrison commanded by Colonel Robert Baden-Powell, later famous as the founder of the Scout movement. The defence captured worldwide attention and became one of the most celebrated episodes of the Second Boer War. The relief force, under Colonel Bryan Mahon, advanced through difficult terrain and successfully entered Mafeking on 17 May 1900, ending the siege and providing a significant boost to British morale.

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. They are particularly sought after by collectors undertaking sympathetic restoration of original Queen’s South Africa Medals or assembling specialist collections of Boer War medal components.

The Relief of Mafeking clasp is one of the most famous and desirable clasps issued with the Queen’s South Africa Medal, appealing to collectors of Boer War medals, British military history, and Edwardian campaign awards. Contemporary tailor’s copy clasp faces provide an excellent insight into period medal mounting practices and the long collecting history associated with QSA medals.

This example would make an excellent addition to a collection of Queen’s South Africa Medal components, Boer War campaign medal restorations, or British military memorabilia.

Dimensions

Approx. 36mm × 4.5mm

Condition

Good overall period 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.