Only the TOGO 1899 clasp is covered 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 - there are some in French) but specialized history books are the best English language source.  Be aware that spelling differences are common.  An excellent contemporary reference is:  West-Afrika by Moritz Schanz (Berlin, 1903).   The clasp TOGO 1899 was awarded mainly to Togo Police Troops for eight different operations: 

• February to March 1899:  A Campaign to north Kabure (Kapure) followed by an action and many skirmishes which resulted in casualties to both sides.  A participant in this expedition could not have been in the Nabahu Punitive Expedition and the Kabure Campaign as well.  
• March 1899:  A small Punitive Expedition by less than 100 Togo Police Troops to Nabahu to enforce German colonial rule.  A participant in this expedition could not have been in the Kabure Campaigns as well.  Little else is currently known about this expedition and additional research is needed. 
• April 1899:  A small Punitive Expedition against Tschawade.  The town was stormed and captured.  A participant in this expedition could not have been in the Lamba Campaigns as well. 
• April 1899:  A Campaign by the Togo Police Troops against the Lamba.  There was one skirmish with the Lamba.  The Lamba (the Lambe were Garenganze people) lived in hilly north-north-east Togo, near the Ghana border, who were refusing to be dominated by the German colonial rule.  A participant in this expedition could not have been in the Tschawade Punitive Expedition as well. 
• May 1899:  A Campaign to Moba.  There were 2 actions near Nadere and Nabahu.  Little else is currently known about this expedition and additional research is needed. 
• 13 June to 25 August 1899:  A Expedition to Kabure, Busale, Tamberma, Disale, and Anima.   Kabure was a constant source of problems for the Germans due to the refusal to acknowledge the German rule.  There was an action near Adjare and three skirmishes which resulted in casualties to both sides. 
• 12 to 29 October 1899:  A Punitive Expedition in the western lands of Bassari which was in a revolt against German rule.  Some sources suggest that it was French inspired so that this region could be placed under French colonial rule.  There were 2 actions by Napari and Kujunie.  Many participants in this Punitive Expedition returned in December after serving with the Dagomba and Konkomba Punitive Expedition.  
• 11 to 26 December 1899:  Punitive Expedition against the Dagomba and the Konkomba.  There were three actions near Napari, Bupadjiwe, and Natagu.  Many of the participants had served in the October Bassari Punitive Expedition as well.  The Dagomba and their allies the Konkomba continuously refused to submit to the Germans and there were constant conflicts.  There were casualties on both sides but sickness and injuries seems to have taken a large toll on the Togo Police Troops.

Many of the Togo Police Troops (and Europeans) were noted as being particularly susceptible to sleeping sickness which suddenly appeared in 1900 and it impacted the number of Troops that could be deployed effectively.  It is also interesting to note that the year prior (1900), the German Colonial Government imposed direct rule on Togo north of the coastal settlements and began a very heavy handed approach the continuous revolts and banditry.  This clasp was awarded only to African Imperial German Colonial Togo Police Troops (mainly Hausas and a few Fanti) but there appears to be a number of Europeans (possibly 30) and Africans who were attached.  Less than 500 Togo Police Troops were authorized this clasp and possibly half received the TOGO 1899 clasp in 1912 (along with any other clasp entitlements). 

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 1899, and with soldered sharp flat prong backs - a genuine example has not been seen with round prongs.  This is not to say that another type wasn't officially issued as well but that only this one type has been verified. 

• In 1988, a clasp was sold in Germany for €100
• In 1993, a clasp was sold in Germany for €195
• In Sep. 2000, a clasp was offered in Germany for €250
• In Aug. 2004, a clasp was offered online at €200+
• In Sep. 2006, a clasp was sold in Germany for €250
• In Jan. 2007, a clasp was offered in Germany for €275
• In Feb. 2007, a clasp was sold on eBay.de for €77
• In Mar. 2007, a clasp was offered in Germany for €325

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.

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