This guide will address only the SEDAN clasp which was worn on the Imperial German 1870-1871 Kriegdenkmünze. The clasp SEDAN was awarded for the battle at Sedan in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War.  The SEDAN clasp was authorized in 1895 and made available for private purchase.   Almost all recipients were from the 3rd and 4th Army.  A verified cavalry recipient of this clasp is highly sought after and commands a negotiated premium price. 
 

(photo pending)

SEDAN 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. 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 - 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 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.   There is a SEDAN clasp which was awarded on various WWI veteran medals and it is usually distinguished by the name +SEDAN+, or it has a flat - or relatively flat background, or the original prongs extend to such a length that they meet and overlap.  SEDAN is very uncommon as a single clasp but there is a very high market demand which drives the price higher than expected.   The following is a list of clasps which have been noted on the market:

• Type 5B (Feb. 1986, DM 20), German dealer.
• Type 1 (1993, €21), German dealer.
• Type 2 (1993, €21), German dealer.
• Type 3 (1993, €21), German dealer.
• Type 5B (Jan. 1995, €20), German dealer.
• KDM with PARIS, ORLEANS, and SEDAN - all Type 3B (private collection, Nov. 2002)
• mounted Iron Cross 2nd Class with 25 oakleaf device,  KDM with PARIS, SEDAN & 1897 Centenary Medal & Landwehr Long Service Badge 2nd Class & Kyffhäuserbund Medal with +PARIS+, +SEDAN+, crossed swords (private German collection, ?-2004-2006-?)
• mounted KDM with WEISSENBURG, WÖRTH, SEDAN, PARIS, BEAUGENCY-CRAVANT, LE MANS, and PARIS (all Type 1B) clasps & Centenary Medal (Jun. 2005, €?), online German auction.  
• Type 1B (Sep. 2005, €25), German dealer. 
• mounted 1870 Iron Cross 2nd Class (with 25th Anniversary device) & KDM with SEDAN, WÖRTH, plus 2 clasps & Centenary Medal (Jan. 2006, €1250), German dealer. 
• Type 1B (Nov. 2006, €30), eBay.
• Type 3B (Nov. 2006, €35 - suspect), German dealer.
• Type 1B (Jan. 2007, €40), eBay.
• unmounted KDM with PARIS, ORLEANS, and SEDAN - all Type 3B (Jan. 2007, €150), German dealer.
• 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.  This error has been pointed out to the museum staff many times.  (On display March 2007 and prior, Museum des Wasserschlosses Glatt bei Sulz am Nekar).
• mounted 1870 Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse mit Jubiläumsspange & Roter Adler Orden & Prussian Dienstauszeichnung für 12 Jahre & 1913 Prussian Landwehr Dienstauszeichnung II. Kl., KDM with BEAUMONT, SEDAN, PARIS (all  Type 3B), 1897 Centenarmedaille Reverse has tailor tag "GUST. UHLIG  Orden und Ehrenzeichen  HALLE S.  untere Leipzigerstr."  (June 2007, eBay unsold at €1500).
• Type 3B (May 2008, €75), German Militaria Show.

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!