This guide will address only the GRAVELOTTE-ST.PRIVAT clasp which was worn on the Imperial German 1870-1871 Kriegdenkmünze. The GRAVELOTTE-ST.PRIVAT clasp was awarded for the battles of Gravelotte and St. Privat in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War. The GRAVELOTTE-ST.PRIVAT clasp was authorized in 1895 and made available for private purchase. German recipients were mainly with the 1st and 2nd Army although there appears to have been some men attached.

GRAVELOTTE-ST.PRIVAT clasp (Type 5B & 3B)

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 GRAVELOTTE-ST.PRIVAT clasp is in medium 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. GRAVELOTTE was probably privately made and currently known only in Type 6B. GRAVELOTTE ST.PRIVAT, GRAVELOTTE ST. PRIVAT, and GRAVELOTTE-ST. PRIVAT may be original or copy or a WWI era veteran clasp - extra care should be take during the inspection of this clasp. GRAVELOTTE-St. PRIVAT is currently known only as a modern copy. Gravelotte-St. Privat has 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!

• mounted KDM with AMIENS, GRAVELOTTE-ST.PRIVAT, BAPAUME (all Type 1B) & 1866 Austrian-Prussian War Medal & Centenary Medal (28th Prussian Infantry specialist German collection, 1991)
• GRAVELOTTE-ST.PRIVAT Type 1 (1993, €18), German dealer.
• GRAVELOTTE-ST.PRIVAT Type 3A (1993, €18), German dealer.
• GRAVELOTTE-ST.PRIVAT Type 3B (1993, €18), German dealer.
• GRAVELOTTE-ST.PRIVAT Type 5B (1993, €18), German dealer.
• GRAVELOTTE ST.PRIVAT Type 3B (1995, €15 - suspect), German dealer.
• GRAVELOTTE Type 6B (Apr. 1998, €25), German dealer.
• KDM with COLOMBY-NOUILLY (Type 1B), Gravelotte-St.Privat (Type 1B), and SPICHEREN (Type 5B) (private German collection, Feb. 2001)
• GRAVELOTTE-ST.PRIVAT Type 1A (Sep. 2002, €25), German dealer.
• Gravelotte - St. Privat Type 3B (Feb. 2004, AUS$200), Australian dealer
• GRAVELOTTE Type 6B (Apr. 2005, €30), German dealer.
• GRAVELOTTE-ST. PRIVAT Type 1B (Sep. 2005, €50 - suspect), German dealer.
• KDM with GRAVELOTTE ST. PRIVAT and COLOMBEY-NOILLY (both Type 1B) (Oct. 2006, €75), German dealer.
• KDM ribbon only with METZ, GRAVELOTTE-ST. PRIVAT, ORLEANS, and LE MANS (all Type 2B) (Oct. 2006, specialist German collection)
• GRAVELOTTE ST.PRIVAT Type 3B (Nov. 2006, €30 - suspect), German dealer.
• mounted KDM with GRAVELOTTE-ST.PRIVAT and METZ & 1866 Austria-Prussian War Medal & Centenary Medal (specialist German collection, Nov. 2006)
• 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).

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 a + before and after the name or made of a type of metal noticably different than the 1870-1871 KDM and are very rarely Type 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.

 GRAVELOTTE  ST.PRIVAT (WWI veteran medal clasp, Type 1B)

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!