This guide will address only the DEUTSCH-NEUGUINEA 1908 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 1908 was awarded for a Punitive Expedition in the Admiralty Islands which was part of the northern Bismark Archipelago.  Prior to 1908, colonials living on the islands had been routinely attacked by native cannibals sailing from other parts of the Admiralty Islands.  The German colonials had often requested assistance and a forces of troops was sent to deal with the situation in April (when the weather was ideal).  It's important to realize that there were only about 364 German men and 105 German women living in the Bismark Archipelago at this time (Deutscher Kolonial-Atlas mit Illustriertem Jahrbuch für 1908) but there were a number of other nationalities represented as well.   By 1908, the German colonial government had had enough and mounted a Punitive Expedition to settle the matter.  The force scoured the Admiralty Islands and, after a few actions on the islands, the natives were either captured, killed, or went into hiding.  Well over 2000 men were authorized this clasp (in all categories) and possibly only a third to half received the clasp  DEUTSCH-NEUGUINEA 1908 in 1912.

• In 1992, a single clasp was offered in Germany for €150.
• In 1999, a single clasp was sold in Germany for €162.
• In 2001, a single clasp was offered on eBay for $200 (start bid).
• In 2006, a single clasp was offered in Germany for €250.

This clasp was awarded only to Imperial German Colonial Protection Troops (some were members of the Reserves) 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. 

If you found this guide helpful, a Yes vote is appreciated.  This will help me gauge the level of interest in this and similar topics for further guides.  For your convenience, other associated guides are located at:  http://reviews.ebay.com/Imperial-German-Medal-Guides-Index_W0QQugidZ10000000002386112 &/or  http://reviews.ebay.com/Imperial-German-Colonial-Medal-DEUTSCH-NEUGUINEA_W0QQugidZ10000000002379852.  Please visit my blog (http://blogs.ebay.com/tsa-li) and/or guides for further information.  Thank you for your visit!