This guide will address only the TOGO 1896/97 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.  If you are interested in details of these events, some internet sites provide further information (the absolute best specialist sources are in German) but specialized history books are the best English language source.

The clasp TOGO 1896/97 was awarded mainly to Togo Police Troops for the campaign near Sugu in which the Troops attempted to maintain general security between 15 November 1896 to April 1897.   Oberleutnant Viktor Graf von Zech commanded the Expedition as he had earlier in 1896.  Please see:  http://reviews.ebay.com/TOGO-1896-Clasp_W0QQugidZ10000000003200586.  Sugu had continued attempting to exert its’ independence by trying to revoke the treaty made a few months prior and was considering to become a part of the French colonies. Two additional actions were fought in eastern Togo near Funga and Suburuku which resulted in losses to the rebels and only wounded Togo Police Troops.  This clasp was awarded only to African Imperial German Colonial Police Troops (mainly Hausas and a few Fanti) but there appears to be a number of Europeans and Africans who were attached.  Less than 725 Togo Police Troops were authorized this clasp and possibly half  (or as little as a quarter) received the TOGO 1896/97 clasp in 1912.  An excellent reference is:  Schanz, Moritz West-Afrika (Berlin, 1903).   It's interesting to note the similarities between this German medal and the British East and West Africa Medal with the clasps 1896-98 and 1897-98. 

As of 15 March 2008, 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 sharp flat 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. 

• In 1993, a clasp was sold in Germany for €218
• In February 2001, this clasp was offered at a German Militaria Show for €250
• In January 2007, a clasp was offered in Germany for €300

Copies and forgeries are known.  Most copies (typically cast) were made for collectors or re-enactors who required an example.  Please review my copy medal guide http://reviews.ebay.com/Worldwide-Military-Medals-Copy-Medal_W0QQugidZ10000000001875117 and forgery medal guide http://reviews.ebay.com/Worldwide-Military-Medals-Forgery-Medals_W0QQugidZ10000000001875079 for a more detailed explanation.  My best advice is:  Buy only from a reputable dealer who specializes in Imperial German medals and who will offer you a 100% guarantee for this clasp.  Please visit http://reviews.ebay.com/Imperial-German-Colonial-Medal-TOGO_W0QQugidZ10000000002921216 or http://reviews.ebay.com/Imperial-German-Medal-Guides-Index_W0QQugidZ10000000002386112, my blog (http://blogs.ebay.com/tsa-li) and/or guides for further information.  Thank you for your visit!