This guide will address only the COLOMBEY-NOUILLY clasp which was worn on the Imperial German 1870-1871 Kriegdenkmünze. The clasp COLOMBEY-NOUILLY was awarded for the battle of COLOMBEY-NOUILLY in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War.  The COLOMBEY-NOUILLY clasp was authorized in 1895 and made available for private purchase.  German recipients were mainly with the 1st Army although there appears to have been some men attached.    

COLOMBEY-NOUILLY clasp

It currently seems that there was less than 20 manufacturers of official clasps.  It should be noted that the prices can vary considerably from dealer to dealer - especially if accompanied with other medals or documentation.  Some jeweler's copy clasps have been hallmarked.  The COLOMBEY-NOUILLY clasp is not in high demand by collectors.  Each clasp has different manufacturing styles:  (1) flat single ribbon width, wide lettering  - ca. 3.1 cm long, .5+cm tall, .05 cm thick (2) flat single ribbon width, narrow lettering - ca. 3.1 cm long, .5+cm tall, .05 cm thick  (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 - ca. 3.1cm long, .6cm tall, .1cm thick (6) flat single ribbon width, tall & wide lettering and ca. 25% taller than the official clasps - ca. 3.1 cm long, .6cm tall,  .05cm thick.  There are 2 different attachment methods:  (A) slip-on  (B) prong back - and there are different styles to the prongs.  It's important to note that the clasp background is pebbled in all cases and is not flat or smooth (a good indicator of a copy, reproduction, or late-issue clasp).  Another tip is that if you view the edge, it is smooth, there is no ridge showing the mold separation because the original clasps were struck from dies.   A clasp exist (normally in Type 2B) which has the name COLOMBEY NOUILLY - it may be an original or copy, extreme caution should be exercised.  The following is a list of clasps which have been noted on the market:

• Type 1B (1993, €36), German dealer.
• KDM with COLOMBY-NOUILLY (Type 1B), Gravelotte-St.Privat (Type 1B), and SPICHEREN (Type 5B), private German collection, Feb. 2001-?.
• KDM with COLOMBEY-NOUILLY and METZ (Sep. 2002, €75), German dealer.
• KDM with COLOMBEY-NOUILLY and METZ (both Type 3B) (Sep. 2005, €100), German dealer.
• KDM with Type 2B COLOMBEY NOUILLY only (Jan. 2006, €69 - suspect), German dealer.
• Type 1B with KDM (Sep. 2006, €75), German dealer.
• KDM with COLOMBEY-NOUILLY and METZ (Type 1B) (Oct. 2006, €75 - damaged), German dealer.
• KDM with GRAVELOTTE ST. PRIVAT and COLOMBEY-NOILLY (both Type 1B) (Oct. 2006, €75), German dealer.
• Type 2B COLOMBEY NOUILLY (Nov. 2006, €30 - suspect), eBay.
• Type 2B COLOMBEY NOUILLY (April 2007, $100 - suspect), USA dealer.

There is a series of clasps bearing this name that are made for the various WWI veteran medals.  They are typically distinguished by having a flat (or relatively flat) background or with the wording +COLOMBEY NOUILLY+ or COLOMBEY NOUILLY or made of a type of metal noticably different than the 1870-1871 KDM and are very rarely Type 5 or 6.  They are normally similar to Type 2B &/or 3B - with longer than normal prongs which are typically flat or slightly beveled.  There are a few exceptions to these general rules but these are best left to a specialist collector. 

My best advice is:  purchase this clasp from a dealer who specializes in Prussian or Imperial German medals and who will offer you a 100% guarantee.  For your convenience, other associated guides can be found at:  http://reviews.ebay.com/Imperial-German-Medal-Guides-Index_W0QQugidZ10000000002386112.  Please visit my blog (http://blogs.ebay.com/tsa-li) and/or guides for further information.  Thank you for your visit!