KARAS-BERGE, KARASBERGE, KÁRAS-BERGE, KÁRASBERGE  Awarded for operations in the Karas Mountains of German South West Africa.  Alternative spellings are used by the various manufacturers.  This clasp is often found with the NURUDAS clasp.  While not rare, specimens are difficult to locate but they can be found on the dealer market.  Copies of this clasp are common.

(photo pending)

KARASBERGE clasp

Currently, there appears to be less than 25 manufacturers of these 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.  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 can be slightly pebbled (some manufacturing styles convey the appearance of a cross-hatch background) and appears relatively flat - although it is not smmoth.  The background is noticeably not as pronounced as with other clasps (such as the Franco-Prussia War Medal clasps).  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.  There are 7 other clasps which require comment:  KARAS BERGEN, KARAS BERGE, KÁRAS BERGEN, KÁRAS BERGE, KARASBERGEN, KÁRAS-BERGEN, KÁRASBERGEN.  These are generally alternative spellings often found on copies and/or unofficial clasps - close examination is required.  The following is a list of clasps which have appeared on the market.

• KARASBERGE (1999, €103), German dealer.
• KARAS-BERGE  (1999, €103), German dealer.
• KARAS-BERGE  (2005, €100 - suspected copy), German dealer.
• KARASBERGE (2005, €100 - suspected copy), German dealer.
• KARAS-BERGE  (2006, €125 - suspected copy), German dealer.
• KÁRASBERGE (2006, €120 - suspected copy), German dealer.
• KARAS-BERGE  (2006, €100 - copy), German dealer.

My best advice is:  Purchase this clasp from a dealer who specializes in Imperial German or Prussian medals and who has a good knowledge of these clasps.  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!