West Africa 1906 Clasp Face – Contemporary Tailor’s Copy

West Africa 1906 clasp face – a contemporary tailor’s copy, period-made replacement face plate for the Africa General Service Medal campaign clasp.

This contemporary tailor’s copy faithfully reproduces the front face of the “West Africa 1906” clasp issued with the Africa General Service Medal. 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 by collectors as historic artefacts, reflecting early twentieth-century military tailoring and medal mounting practices.

The original West Africa 1906 clasp was awarded to officers and men of the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and locally raised colonial forces who took part in operations in West Africa during 1906. The clasp primarily relates to military operations undertaken in the Northern Territories of the Gold Coast and neighbouring areas, where British forces conducted expeditions to suppress unrest, protect colonial administration, and maintain control over remote districts.

Operations in West Africa during this period were typically carried out by small, mobile columns consisting of British officers, West African troops, and locally recruited support personnel. These forces operated in demanding tropical conditions, often moving through dense bush and difficult terrain while relying upon patrols, river transport, and temporary fortified posts to maintain communications and security.

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 Edwardian medal components.

The West Africa 1906 clasp is one of the recognised clasps issued with the Africa General Service Medal, remaining highly desirable among collectors of British colonial campaign medals, West 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 Africa General Service Medal components, British campaign medal restorations, or Edwardian 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.