1900 Clasp Face – Contemporary Tailor’s Copy

1900 clasp face – 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 “1900” 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 Edwardian 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 period military tailoring and medal-mounting practices.

The original 1900 clasp was awarded to officers and men of the British Army and locally raised colonial forces who took part in qualifying military operations in East Africa during 1900. The clasp recognised service in several expeditions conducted to consolidate British authority, suppress local resistance, protect trade routes, and maintain order throughout Britain’s East African territories.

Operations during 1900 were carried out across difficult tropical terrain, including dense bush, mountainous regions, and remote inland districts. British and colonial forces relied upon small mobile columns supported by locally recruited askaris, engineers, and transport personnel to conduct expeditions against hostile groups while securing communications and extending effective 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 medal components.

The 1900 clasp is one of the recognised campaign bars issued with the East and West Africa Medal 1887–1900 and remains highly desirable among collectors of British colonial campaign medals, African military history, and British Empire militaria. 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 colonial 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.