This guide supplements the 1870-1871 Franco-Prussian War Medal Clasps ebay guide by providing further information on the unofficial clasps which may be encountered.  Lack of space in the guides prevents the two from being consolidated.  I strongly suggest that you read the 1870-1871 Franco-Prussian War Medal Clasps http://reviews.ebay.com/1870-1871-Franco-Prussian-War-Medal-clasps_W0QQugidZ10000000002349162 first since it contains information required to fully appreciate the details listed in this guide.  In a few instances, information has been duplicated since it's pertinent to both guides.  While possession of official clasps usually indicated additional entitlement to the 1897 Centenary Medal, possession of unofficial clasps did not indicate the same.  This is primarily due to the fact that many of the unofficial clasps were worn prior to 1895 and the veteran may not have been living during the 1897 Centenary Medal award period.  Please see http://reviews.ebay.com/Prussian-1897-Centenary-Medal_W0QQugidZ10000000002369985 for further information on this topic.  Other guides which may be of interest are:   http://reviews.ebay.com/German-Kyffhaeuserbund-Medal_W0QQugidZ10000000002138733 and http://reviews.ebay.com/Imperial-German-Medal-Guides-Index_W0QQugidZ10000000002386112.   

These unofficial bronze clasps have notes which are of interest to the collector.  When clasps are present on a KDM, the manufacturing styles should match and any irregularity should be reason for suspicion - which may be a result of an unofficial clasp added.  Some jeweler's copy clasps have been hallmarked.  Each clasp has different manufacturing styles:  (1) flat single ribbon width, wide lettering  (2) flat single ribbon width, narrow lettering  (3) flat 1 1/2 ribbon width, wide lettering  (4) flat 1 1/2 ribbon width, narrow lettering  (5) thick single ribbon width, hollow back, "fat" wide lettering (6) flat single ribbon width, tall & wide lettering and ca. 25% taller than the official clasps.  There are 2 different attachment methods:  (A) slip-on (B) prong back - and there are different styles to the prongs.  

AN DER LISAINE  Unofficial clasp and very rarely encountered.  Extreme care should be used with this clasp.

AN DER LISANE  Unofficial clasp and may be a jeweler's copy or forgery - there is debate among speciality collectors.  Extreme care should be used with this clasp.

AM OGNON  Unofficial clasp made pre-1892 and very rarely encountered, although very highly sought after by specialists.  Extreme care should be used with this clasp. 

AMIENS  This clasp is noticeable different than the official clasp.   Most collectors avoid this clasp, except for a few specialist collectors who can verify that it was made pre-1892. 

+ AMIENS +  Often removed from the 1914-1918 Kyffhäuserbund Medal. 

+ BAPAUME +  Often removed from the 1914-1918 Kyffhäuserbund Medal. 

BEAUMONT  This clasp is noticeable different than the official clasp.   Most collectors avoid this clasp, except for a few specialist collectors who can verify that it was made pre-1892. 

CHAMPAIGNE  Often removed from the 1914-1918 Kyffhäuserbund Medal.

+CHAMPAIGNE+  Often removed from the 1914-1918 Kyffhäuserbund Medal.

CHAMPIGNY  Unofficial clasp manufactured pre-1892.  Generally not in demand, except for a few specialist collectors.  Officially recognized with VILLIERS. 

CHATILLON LE DUC  Unofficial clasp manufactured pre-1892.  Generally not in demand, except for a few specialist collectors. 

CHERNIRUNG VON METZ  Unofficial clasp.   Manufactured pre-1892 and officially recognized with METZ.   Very highly prized by specialist collectors but most novice collectors will not even consider it.

• (2000, €150+), German online auction.
• (specialist German collection, Jan. 2001)
• Type 3B (Sep. 2006, €400), German dealer.
• (Jan. 2007, €250+ but further details not released), German auction house.

COULMIERS  Unofficial clasp.   Manufactured pre-1892 and officially recognized with ORLEANS.  Highly prized by specialist collectors but most novice collectors will not consider it.

COLOMBEY  Unofficial clasp manufactured pre-1892.  Generally not in demand, except for a few specialist collectors. 

DAIX U. TALANT  Unofficial clasp manufactured pre-1892.  Generally not in demand, except for a few specialist collectors.

GRAVELOTTE  Unofficial clasp.  Very often found on medals to the 3rd Guards Grenadier Regiment (2nd Guards Grenadier Division).  Most collectors avoid this clasp, except for a few specialist collectors who can verify that it was made pre-1892.  Often listed as such by dealers but it is unclear if this was an abbreviation for the GRAVELOTTE-ST. PRIVAT clasp.  If offered, I suggest you verify the lettering with the seller and obtain good clear photos of at least 500 dpi since good copies are known.

• Type 6B (Feb. 2007, €35), eBay.
• Type 3B (Mar. 2007, €75), German dealer.
• See Note 1

GRAVELOTTE-St.PRIVAT  Currently known only as a modern copy. 

GRAVELOTTE-St. PRIVAT  Currently known only as a modern copy. 

Gravelotte-St. Privat  There is substantial debate among specialists as to whether or not this is an original clasp but all agree it might be a jeweler's copy.  Quite unusual with lower case lettering.  Most collectors avoid this clasp since the probablity is high that it's a copy - which has yet to be verified.

• See Note 2 

LA BOURGONCE  Unofficial clasp made pre-1892.  Generally not in demand, except for a few specialist collectors.

LE BOURGET  Unofficial clasp made pre-1892.  Very highly valued by speciality collectors due to the large number of heroism awards to the 2. Garde-Infantrie-Division for this action (the 3rd Guards Grenadier Regiment - only one battalion present - was probably the most noted unit), it is sometimes called the "Blue Max Battle" or similar.  Officially recognized with the PARIS clasp.  Most novice collectors will not even consider this clasp.

• Type 5B (Feb. 2007, €125 on-line reserve bid), German auction house.
• See Note 1

LE MANS  This clasp is noticeable different than the official clasp.   Most collectors avoid this clasp, except for a few specialist collectors who can verify that it was made pre-1892. 

METZ  This clasp is noticeable different than the official clasp.   Most collectors avoid this clasp, except for a few specialist collectors who can verify that it was made pre-1892. 

MONT BÉLIARD Reputedly in existence as an unofficial clasp.   Most collectors avoid this clasp, except for a few specialist collectors who can verify that it was made pre-1892. 

NOUILLY  Unofficial clasp.  Generally not in demand, except for a few specialist collectors.  Possibly a jeweler's copy or forgery, there is debate among speciality collectors.  The oldest one currently known dates at about 1894/5 and attempts to document one pre-1892 have not been successful.

• Type 1B mounted on KDM with PARIS, SEDAN and 1897 Centenary Medal (Sep. 2006, offered in Germany at €350)

NUITS  Unofficial clasp made pre-1892.  Generally not in demand, except for a few specialist collectors.

ORLEANS  This clasp is noticeable different than the official clasp.   Most collectors avoid this clasp, except for a few specialist collectors who can verify that it was made pre-1892. 

PARIS  This clasp is noticeable different than the official clasp.   Most collectors avoid this clasp, except for a few specialist collectors who can verify that it was made pre-1892. 

+ PARIS +  Often removed from the 1914-1918 Kyffhäuserbund Medal. 

PASQUES  Unofficial clasp made pre-1892.  Generally not in demand, except for a few specialist collectors.

PONTARLIER  Reputedly in existence as an unofficial clasp but the survival rate must be quite low.   Most collectors would avoid this clasp, except for a few specialist collectors who can verify that it was made pre-1892. 

SEDAN  This clasp is noticeable different than the official clasp.   Most collectors avoid this clasp, except for a few specialist collectors who can verify that it was made pre-1892. 

+ SEDAN +  Often removed from the 1914-1918 Kyffhäuserbund Medal.

ST. QUENTIN  This clasp is noticeable different than the official clasp.   Most collectors avoid this clasp, except for a few specialist collectors who can verify that it was made pre-1892. 

St.QUENTIN  Often removed from the 1914-1918 Kyffhäuserbund Medal.  

St. QUENTIN  Often removed from the 1914-1918 Kyffhäuserbund Medal.  

+ ST. QUENTIN +  Often removed from the 1914-1918 Kyffhäuserbund Medal. 

STRASSBURG  This clasp is noticeable different than the official clasp.   Most collectors avoid this clasp, except for a few specialist collectors who can verify that it was made pre-1892. 

TOUL  Unofficial siege clasp probably made pre-1892 and definately pre-1895.  Generally not in demand, except for a few specialist collectors who highly value it - novice collectors will not even consider it.

• Type 5B (Sep. 2004), specialist German collection who verified its' existence pre-1895 and was conducting in-depth research on this clasp.  The results were supposed to be presented to the BDOS but I have no records of this. 
• Type 5B (Dec. 2006, €100+), German online auction.

VESOUL  Unofficial clasp.  Generally not in demand, except for a few specialist collectors who can verify that it was made pre-1892.

• Type 5B (Sep. 2006, €100+), German online auction.

VILLERSEXEL  Unofficial clasp made pre-1892.  Generally not in demand, except for a few specialist collectors.

VIONVILLE  Reportedly in existance as an unofficial clasp. Most collectors avoid this clasp, except for a few specialist collectors who can verify that it was made pre-1892. 

VIONVILLE   MARS LA TOUR  Undetermined if this exist as an original, copies are common. 

VIONVILLE  -  MARS-LA-TOUR   Reportedly existing as a copy, not common. 

WEIßENBURG  Reportedly in existance.  Further comments can not be made until an example is located. 

WOERTH  Reportedly in existance as an unofficial clasp. Most collectors would avoid this clasp, except for a few specialist collectors who could verify that it was made pre-1892.  Less than 5 years ago this was generally regarded as a fantasy clasp but new research reveals otherwise.

WÜRTH  Known only as a modern copy.  

Dated clasps  Clasps are found with 1870, 1870-1871, 1870-71, and 1871.  These are normally unofficial or removed from the Baden War Medal.

Unofficial decorative scroll clasps  Very decorative scrolled unofficial clasps (made of gilt bronze) are sometimes encountered which pre-date 1892 and sell for about €100 each (Nov. 2006-Jan. 2007).  Current known examples are:  LA BOURGONCE, STRASSBURG, AM OGNON, CHATILLON LE DUC, DAIX U. TALANT, PASQUES, NUITS, VESOUL, VILLERSEXEL, & AN DER LISAINE.

NOTES:

1. mounted KDM with GRAVELOTTE (Type 6B), PARIS (Type 5B), SEDAN (Type 5B), BEAUMONT (Type 5B), LE BOURGET (Type 5B) & Hohenzollernschen Kriegbundes Kreuz & Centenary Medal & Landwehr Decoration - the KDM and Centenary Medal are mounted on each other's ribbon while the HKK is mounted on a KDM centered with the 5 clasps in 3 rows spanning the entire KDM ribbons width (on display March 2007 and prior, Museum des Wasserschlosses Glatt bei Sulz am Nekar)
2. KDM with COLOMBY-NOUILLY (Type 1B), Gravelotte-St.Privat (Type 1B), and SPICHEREN (Type 5B) (private collection, Feb. 2001)

Copies and forgeries abound.  Most copies (typically cast) are made for collectors or re-enactors who require an example.  Jeweler's copies are known and are not highly regarded even if they are verified contemporary - but many sellers do not make the distinction clear.  Again, the best advice is:  Buy only from a reputable dealer who specializes in Prussian medals.

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