The TOGO 1898 clasp only is addressed in this guide. The Imperial German Colonial Medal (Kolonialdenkmünze), which carried this clasp, 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.  Be aware that spelling differences are common.  An excellent reference is:  West-Afrika by Moritz Schanz (Berlin, 1903).   The clasp TOGO 1898 was awarded mainly to Togo Police Troops as a continuation of the TOGO 1897/98 clasp for five different operations: 

•  January to February 1898:  Namba (Lamba, a Fulani people) Campaign in central Togo.  There was an action in Namba-land and the Anima Pass (elevation = 1469 feet) which resulted in unknown Namba causalties - mainly at the Pass - and a few wounded Togo Police Troops.
•  21 January to 4 February 1898:   Kabure (Kapure) Campaign in eastern Togo.  There were some actions near Pesidé, Adyira-Lamba, Bufale, and Gross-Loma (Gross-Lome, Groß-Loma, Groß-Lome) which resulted in Kabure causalties and a few wounded Troops.
•  March 1898:  Moba Campaign in northern Togo.  Much of the unrest was reportedly due to French influence by tempting the Moba to make treaties with them and to reject the German Colonial Administration.  There was one action near Bulogu and military strikes near Banna and Nabahu against the Moba.   
•  June 1898:  Akposso (Kposo, a Kwa people) Campaign in south-west Togo:  There were military strikes near Agome and Katupa (Katuba).  Agome was then stormed with casualties to the Akposso and Togo Police Troops before the town was captured.  This region is now part of Ghana.
• 27 September to 4 October 1898:  Kabure (Kapure) Campaign in eastern Togo.  There was one action at Lasa-Ebene and Kalangba-Bu was stormed and captured with casualties to the Kabure and Togo Police Troops.

This entire region of West Africa was in revolt against the Germans, British, and French colonial governments during this period and makes for interesting reading.  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 (possibly 50) and Africans who were attached.  Less than 750 Togo Police Troops were authorized this clasp and possibly half  received the TOGO 1898 clasp in 1912 (along with any other clasp entitlements).  It's interesting to note that many of the Germans had received the 1897 Centenary Medal but this subject has not been researched in great detail.

As of 15 March 2007, this bronze clasp is only known in one officially issued type:  same width as the ribbon, wide lettering, flat back, pebbled background, a wide space between TOGO and 1898, 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 €195
•  In Sep. 2006, a clasp was offered in Germany for €300
• Note:  This clasp is regularly offered on ebay.de as a copy - not a forgery - at a very fair price.  While good, it will not deceive the average German medal collector but the novice should be careful.

Copies and forgeries are known.  Most copies (typically cast) were made for collectors or re-enactors who required an example.  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.

If you found this guide helpful, a Yes vote is appreciated.  This will help me gauge the level of interest in this and similar topics for further guides.  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!