This guide will address only the DEUTSCH-NEUGUINEA 1903 clasp which was worn on the Kolonialdenkmünze. The Imperial German Colonial Medal (Kolonialdenkmünze) was established by Kaiser Wilhelm II on 13 June 1912 with revisions on 17 February 1914.  The medal with clasps was awarded retroactively.  

The clasp DEUTSCH-NEUGUINEA 1903 was awarded for actions in the Witu Islands group which was part of the northern Bismark Archipelago.  In 1903, German (and a few French) planters living on the islands were attacked by native cannibals sailing from other parts of the Admiralty Islands.  The German colonials requested assistance and a force of troops was sent to the Witu Islands in November and December 1903.  After a few actions on the islands, the natives were either killed or driven off and peace returned for a short period.  There appears to be fewer than 1000 men were authorized this clasp (in all categories) and possibly only a third to a quarter  received it in 1912.

• In 1991, a single clasp was offered in Germany for €200
• In 1999, a single clasp was sold in Germany for €205
• In mid-2006, a single clasp was offered in Germany for €500
• In late-2006, a single calsp was offered in Germany for €350 

This clasp was awarded only to Imperial German Colonial Protection Troops and Police Troops.  Some military &/or naval personnel were attached and received the appropriate clasp.  Native New Guinea troops did not total over 600 at any one time.  While the medal is somewhat rare, these bronze clasps are very rare.  As of November 2006, this bronze clasp is only known in one officially issued type:  same width as the ribbon, wide lettering, flat back, pebbled background and with soldered prong backs.   This is not to say that another type wasn't officially issued as well but that only this one type has been verified. 

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