Azoff Clasp Face – Contemporary Tailor’s Copy

Azoff clasp face – a contemporary tailor’s copy, period-made replacement face plate for the Crimea Medal 1854–1856 campaign clasp.

This contemporary tailor’s copy faithfully reproduces the front face of the “Azoff” clasp issued with the Crimea Medal 1854–1856. 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, reflecting nineteenth-century military tailoring and medal mounting practices.

The original Azoff clasp was awarded to officers and men of the Royal Navy and associated naval forces who took part in operations in the Sea of Azoff during the Crimean War. The clasp commemorates the successful naval campaign against Russian positions along the northern coast of the Sea of Azoff during 1855.

The Sea of Azoff operations were conducted by British and French naval forces under the command of Admiral Edmund Lyons, targeting Russian supply routes, coastal fortifications, and military installations supporting the Russian forces in the Crimea. Naval vessels, including shallow-draft gunboats, carried out bombardments and raids against ports, depots, and shipping, disrupting Russian logistics and contributing to the wider Allied campaign.

The Azoff clasp is one of the scarcer naval clasps associated with the Crimea Medal and remains highly desirable among collectors of Victorian naval medals, Crimean War history, and British campaign awards.

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.

This example would make an excellent addition to a collection of Crimea Medal components, British campaign medal restorations, or Victorian naval memorabilia.

Dimensions

Approx. 34mm × 14mm

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.