1891-2 Clasp Face – Contemporary Tailor’s Copy for the East and West Africa Medal

1891-2 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 “1891-2” 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 1891-2 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 East and West Africa during 1891 and 1892. The clasp covered many military expeditions undertaken during a period of increasing British colonial activity, aimed at maintaining order, protecting trade routes, and extending British influence in African territories.

Operations during this period were conducted in demanding tropical environments, with British and colonial forces frequently relying upon naval detachments, locally recruited troops, and small mobile expeditionary columns. These forces operated through difficult terrain, including dense bush, coastal regions, and inland areas where supply, communications, and climate presented significant challenges.

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 1891-2 clasp is an important early clasp associated with the East and West Africa Medal 1887–1900 and remains desirable among collectors of Victorian colonial campaign medals, British military history, and African expeditionary warfare. 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 1887–1900 components, British campaign medal restorations, or Victorian military memorabilia.

Dimensions

Approx. 36mm × 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.