Looshai Clasp Face – Contemporary Tailor’s Copy

Looshai clasp face – a contemporary tailor’s copy, period-made replacement face plate for the India General Service Medal (1854) campaign clasp.

This contemporary tailor’s copy faithfully reproduces the front face of the “Looshai” clasp issued with the India General Service Medal (1854). 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 nineteenth-century military tailoring and medal-mounting practices.

The original Looshai clasp was awarded to officers and men of the British Army, Indian Army, and supporting forces who took part in the Lushai Expedition of 1871–1872. The campaign was launched following raids by Lushai (now Mizo) tribesmen into British territory, including attacks on settlements and the kidnapping of civilians from the Cachar district of north-east India. Two military columns advanced into the Lushai Hills through dense jungle and mountainous terrain, overcoming difficult conditions to restore British authority and secure the release of captives.

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 reference collections of Victorian medal components.

The Looshai clasp remains one of the more desirable campaign bars associated with the India General Service Medal (1854), commemorating one of the British Army’s earliest jungle campaigns in north-east India. Contemporary tailor’s copy clasp faces provide an interesting insight into period military outfitting and are increasingly appreciated by collectors of British Empire campaign medals and Victorian militaria.

This example would make an excellent addition to a collection of India General Service Medal components, British campaign medal restorations, or Victorian military memorabilia.

Dimensions

Approx. 36mm × 12mm

Condition

Good overall period condition, with age-related wear consistent with a contemporary tailor’s copy. Minor surface marks, light rubbing, and signs of handling or long-term storage may be present. An attractive and well-preserved example of a Victorian campaign clasp.