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

Belmont clasp face – contemporary tailor’s copy, period-made replacement face plate for the Queen’s South Africa (QSA) Medal campaign clasp.

This contemporary tailor’s copy faithfully reproduces the front face of the “Belmont” 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 Belmont clasp was awarded to officers and men of the British Army and Colonial forces who took part in the Battle of Belmont on 23 November 1899 during the Second Boer War. The action was one of the first major engagements of the conflict, fought between British forces under Lieutenant-General Lord Methuen and Boer commandos occupying defensive positions near Belmont in the Cape Colony.

The British advance towards Kimberley encountered strongly held Boer positions along the railway line, with the engagement involving infantry assaults against fortified kopjes and elevated ground. Despite determined Boer resistance, British forces successfully captured the positions and continued their advance northwards. The battle formed part of the wider Western Front campaign aimed at relieving the besieged town of Kimberley.

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 Belmont clasp is an important early battle clasp issued with the Queen’s South Africa Medal, commemorating one of the opening engagements of the Second Boer War. It remains highly desirable among 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 outfitting 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.