This guide will address only the VILLIERS clasp which was worn on the 1870-1871 Kriegdenkmünze (KDM).  The VILLIERS clasp was authorized in 1895 and made available for private purchase for 35 pfennigs to 1 Reichsmark, depending on the salesman.  This is rarely seen on the market as a loose clasp.  The clasp VILLIERS was awarded for the battle against the French in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War.   The VILLIERS clasp could not be awarded to a recipient of the LOIGNY-POUPRY clasp. 

(photo pending)

VILLIERS clasp

Currently, there appears to be 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  (2) flat single ribbon width, narrow lettering  (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 (6) flat single ribbon width, tall & wide lettering and ca. 25% taller than the official clasps.  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.  It is currently unknown as a verified single clasp to the KDM.  The VILLIERS  clasp is very difficult to find to find on the dealers market.   The following is a list of clasps which have appeared on the market.

• 1993 (Type 1B, €72), German dealer. 
• Nov. 2006 (mounted KDM with VILLIERS and PARIS & non-combatant Southwest Africa Medal & Centenary Medal),  German specialist collection.
• Sep. 2002 (Type 3B, €120), German dealer.
• May 2007  NOTE:  An assortment of 4 clasps:  VILLIERS (Type 5B), WÖRTH (Type 5B), BELFORT (Type 5B), and a miniature NOISSEVILLE was sold on eBay for €112.

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 +VILLIERS+ or made of a type of metal noticably different than the 1870-1871 KDM (and very often it's very similar to the Kyffhäuserbund Medal) and are very rarely Type 6.  They are normally similar to Type 2B or 3B - with longer than normal original prongs which are typically flat and slightly beveled.  While these clasp are collector items in themselves, they are not original official clasps for the KDM.  There are a few exceptions to these general rules but these are best left to a specialist collector. 

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!