1887-8 Clasp Face – Contemporary Tailor’s Copy for the East and West Africa Medal

1887-8 clasp face – a contemporary tailor’s copy, period-made replacement face plate for the East and West Africa Medal 1887–1900 campaign clasp.

This contemporary tailor’s copy faithfully reproduces the front face of the “1887-8” clasp issued with the East and West Africa Medal 1887–1900. Unlike modern reproductions, these period-made tailor’s copies were manufactured during or shortly after the Victorian period by military outfitters for wear on uniforms, replacement of damaged clasps, or completion of privately mounted medal groups. Today, they are recognised by collectors as historic artefacts in their own right, reflecting late Victorian military tailoring and medal mounting practices.

The original 1887-8 clasp was awarded to officers and men of the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and locally raised colonial forces who took part in qualifying operations in West Africa between 1887 and 1888. The clasp covered early military operations undertaken to strengthen British influence, protect colonial interests, and suppress resistance within Britain’s West African territories.

During this period, British forces conducted a number of expeditions along the West African coast and inland regions, operating in challenging tropical conditions against armed opposition. Naval detachments, British troops, and locally recruited forces worked together to secure trading routes, protect settlements, and support the expansion of British colonial administration.

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 campaign medals or assembling specialist collections of Victorian medal components.

The 1887-8 clasp is one of the earliest clasps associated with the East and West Africa Medal 1887–1900, making it an important piece for collectors of Victorian colonial campaign medals, British West African history, and military insignia. Contemporary tailor’s-copy clasps provide an excellent insight into period military outfitting and are increasingly appreciated for their historical authenticity.

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

Dimensions

Approx. 32mm × 6mm

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 and increasingly scarce period-made clasp face suitable for restoration, display, or specialist collecting.