1896-98 Clasp Face – Contemporary Tailor’s Copy

1896–98 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 “1896–98” 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 as historic artefacts in their own right, reflecting late Victorian military tailoring and medal mounting practices.

The original 1896–98 clasp was awarded to officers and men of the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and locally raised colonial forces who served in qualifying operations in British East Africa between 1896 and 1898. The clasp principally recognises service during a period of extensive military operations undertaken to secure British authority, protect the construction of the Uganda Railway, suppress armed resistance, and maintain order throughout Britain’s East African territories.

The campaigns included numerous expeditions against hostile groups, protection of strategic communication routes, and operations to counter attacks on railway construction parties and isolated military posts. British regular troops, Indian Army units, naval detachments, and locally recruited askaris operated under demanding tropical conditions, often campaigning through dense bush, mountainous country, and remote inland regions where disease and difficult logistics posed constant 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 1896–98 clasp is one of the principal campaign bars issued with the East and West Africa Medal and remains highly desirable among collectors of Victorian campaign medals, British colonial history, and African military campaigns. Contemporary tailor’s copy clasp faces 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. 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.