Benin 1897 Clasp Face – Original for the East and West Africa Medal

Benin 1897 clasp face – original replacement face plate for the East and West Africa Medal 1887–1900 campaign clasp.

An original “Benin 1897” clasp face from the East and West Africa Medal 1887–1900, representing the engraved front plate that formed part of the complete campaign clasp. This original Victorian component was manufactured for official issue and would originally have been fitted to the clasp body before being mounted on the medal ribbon. Original clasp faces are considerably scarcer than complete clasps, having often been separated during repairs, alterations, or restoration work over many decades.

The original Benin 1897 clasp was awarded to officers and men of the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and locally raised colonial forces who took part in the Benin Expedition of 1897. The campaign was mounted following the killing of a British delegation led by Acting Consul-General James Phillips and the resulting escalation of tensions between British authorities and the Kingdom of Benin in present-day Nigeria.

The expedition, commanded by Rear-Admiral Sir Harry Rawson, consisted of naval personnel, Royal Marines, British Army detachments, and locally recruited African troops. Advancing through difficult tropical terrain, the force captured and occupied Benin City in February 1897, bringing the Kingdom of Benin under British control. The campaign was one of the most significant British military operations in West Africa during the late Victorian period.

As this example consists of the clasp face only, it offers collectors the opportunity to obtain an original official component suitable for restoring an incomplete East and West Africa Medal clasp or for inclusion within a specialist collection of Victorian campaign medal parts. Genuine original clasp faces are increasingly difficult to locate and are highly sought after by collectors of colonial campaign medals, West African military history, and British Empire awards.

The Benin 1897 clasp is one of the most desirable clasps issued with the East and West Africa Medal 1887–1900, commemorating a notable Victorian expedition and an important period in British colonial military history.

This example would make an excellent addition to a collection of East and West Africa Medal 1887–1900 components, British campaign medal restorations, or Victorian military memorabilia.

Dimensions

Approx. 37mm × 6mm

Condition

Good overall original condition, with age-related wear consistent with an officially issued Victorian campaign clasp component. Light rubbing, surface marks, and minor signs of handling may be present. An attractive and scarce original clasp face suitable for restoration, display, or specialist collecting.