This guide will address only the LE MANS clasp which was worn on the Imperial German 1870-1871 Kriegdenkmünze. The clasp LE MANS was awarded for the battle of LeMans in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War.  The LE MANS clasp was authorized in 1895 and made available for private purchase.  German recipients were with the 2nd Army although there appears to have been some men attached.    

LE MANS 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 LE MANS clasp is one that is in fairly high demand by collectors, which puts it price out of proportion to other clasps.  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.  LE MANS is currently unknown in a Type 5 although it possibly does exist as an original.  The following is a list of clasps which have been noted on the market:

• 1993 (Type 1, €31), German dealer.
• 1993 (Type 2, €31), German dealer.
• 1993 (Type 3, €31), German dealer.
• 1993 (Type 6B, €31), German dealer.
• Jan. 1995 (Type 3B, €40), German dealer.
• June 2005 (mounted KDM with WEISSENBURG, WÖRTH, SEDAN, PARIS, BEAUGENCY-CRAVANT, LE MANS, and PARIS - all Type 1B clasps & Centenary Medal, €?), German auction.  
• Jan. 2006 (Type 1A, €100), German dealer.
• Sep. 2006 (Type 1A, €40), eBay.
• Oct. 2006 (KDM with LOIGNY-POUPRY, BEAUGENCY-CRAVANT, and LE MANS -Types not mentioned, GBP120), UK dealer.
• Oct. 2006 (KDM ribbon with METZ, GRAVELOTTE-ST. PRIVAT, ORLEANS, and LE MANS - all Type 2B), German specialist collection.
• Nov. 2006 (Type 3A, €30 - suspect), German dealer.
• Jan. 2007 (Type 6B, €75), German dealer.
• May 2007 (Type 2B, €? - suspect), German online dealer.
• May 2007 (Type 2B, €?), ebay. 
• May 2008 (Type 6B, €75), German Militaria Show.

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 +LE MANS+ 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!