Golden weapon "For bravery" - award weapon V Russian Empire, assigned to the status state order from 1807 to 1917.
Awarding weapons has been practiced since early times, but the earliest awards date back to the 17th century. IN State Museum-Reserve“Tsarskoye Selo” contains a saber, on the blade of which there is an inscription in gold: “The Sovereign Tsar and Grand Duke Mikhail Fedorovich of All Rus' granted this saber to Stolnik Bogdan Matveev Khitrovo.” Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich reigned from 1613 to 1645. However, for what particular merits the steward Bogdan Matveevich received the gift saber is unknown, so the countdown of history Golden weapons As an exclusively military award, it has been carried out since Peter’s times.
For more than two centuries, presenting a weapon to a serviceman as an award has been considered one of the most honorable rewards. This award is exclusively Russian, having no analogues in any army in the world. It was awarded only to officers, generals and admirals, and only edged weapons were awarded. The tradition of awarding melee weapons continued (with interruptions) in Soviet period and was violated only once, when in 1921 the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic noted the merits of S.S. Kamenev and S.M. Budyonny with Honorary Firearms.
Initially (in the 18th century) the award was a sword, from the beginning of the 19th century - a saber, and for cavalry guards and cuirassiers-heavy cavalry - a broadsword (a narrow long sword). Since 1826, half sabers (they had a shorter and straighter blade than sabers) were often awarded, somewhat later checkers. Sailors often received not one, but two types of weapons at once: in addition to the award sword or naval saber, they were also awarded a award dagger.
Award weapon can be divided into three groups:
1. Golden weapon (since 1913 it was called the St. George weapon).
2. Golden weapons with diamonds or laurels and diamonds (since 1913 called diamond weapons).
3. Weapons with the insignia of the Order of St. Anne III (from 1815 - IV) degree and with the inscription ‘For bravery’.
Each of them has its own story.
Golden weapons appeared during the reign of Empress Catherine the Great. All metal parts of award swords (except for the blade) were made of 56-karat gold. On the guard (hand guard) of P.A. Rumyantsev’s sword there was an inscription: ‘For brave enterprises’. Since 1788, golden weapons began to be awarded for military exploits not only to generals, but also to headquarters and chief officers.
On their swords, according to the regulations adopted in 1807, award weapons were divided as follows:
A. ‘simple’ Golden weapon.
b. Golden weapon with the inscription "For bravery."
V. Golden weapons decorated with diamonds.
d. Golden weapons decorated with diamonds.
d. Golden weapons decorated with laurels and diamonds.
Subsequently, awards not provided for by this classification appeared: a sword with diamonds and a laurel wreath (M.I. Kutuzov for 1812), a sword with diamond laurels and an inscription for what merits it was awarded (M.B. Barclay de Tolly for 1814) and etc. Then the “simple” Golden weapons disappeared: the inscription “For bravery” appeared on all of their types.
As a result, all this diversity was reduced to two groups:
1. Golden weapon with the inscription "For bravery"(since 1913 - St. George's weapon) - for rewarding generals and officers.
2. Golden weapons with diamonds or with laurels and diamonds (since 1913 - St. George's weapon, decorated with diamonds, or Diamond weapon) - for rewarding generals and field marshals.
Both types of weapons were specially made; all metal parts (except blades) were made of 56-carat gold. The inscriptions were made on a guard (a plate to protect the hand).
In addition, there was another type of weapon, which in itself was not a reward, but was directly related to the award - the so-called Annensky weapon. Weapons are described below about all three Vedas.
Golden weapons with the inscription “For bravery” appeared during the reign of Empress Catherine II, after the war of 1774. Since 1788, awards began for the exploits of not only generals, but also headquarters and chief officers. The inscription “For bravery” appeared on their swords. The right to award the medal belonged to the empress; in total, she awarded 117 people with golden weapons.
Her son, Emperor Paul I, who fought against his mother’s traditions, did not award weapons. It was resumed by Emperor Alexander I in 1806, and a year later, by decree of September 29, 1807, he approved the Statute of the Golden Arms, according to which its cavaliers were equated with holders of orders. In 1812, the emperor transferred the right to award Golden Arms to the commanders-in-chief of the armies, which sharply increased the number of awards and thereby reduced their authority. Thus, in 1812 - 1815, 1034 knights appeared, which was several times higher than the number of knights of the Order of St. George during the same period. At the same time, those awarded the Golden Arms often wore on their uniforms smaller copies of sabers with a St. George ribbon placed under them (Figure I) or hung copies of medals and orders from them (Figures II and III).
At the same time, the commander of the Caucasian Army A.P. Ermolov rarely celebrated the exploits of his subordinates with Golden weapons. From 1826 to 1831, when Russia was often at war, the number of awards reached 800 (almost the same as for the Patriotic War of 1812 and Foreign trip!). To increase the authority of the award, Emperor Nicholas I in 1846 established the right to award the Golden Weapon only for “brilliant feats on the battlefield,” and Emperor Alexander II in 1855 awarded him the St. George Ribbon with a silver hilt (the so-called lanyard). In 1869, on the centenary of the Order of St. George, those awarded the Golden Arms were given equal rights with the Knights of St. George. These measures brought the Golden Arms closer to the Order of St. George, but the number of its owners still remained large. In 1890, the awarding of the Golden Arms also became possible “for other distinctions,” placing it in general row awards As a result, in a year and a half of the lost Russian-Japanese War, 610 of his cavaliers appeared - twice as many as the cavaliers of the Order of St. George!
Only in 1913, with the approval of the new statute of the Order of St. George, the Golden Arms were “assigned” to it and renamed St. George and decorated with the image of the Order of St. George. Rewarding became possible for certain feats listed in the statute, according to the resolution of the Duma, consisting of gentlemen of the Golden Arms. At the same time, those awarded them received the right only to wear military uniform being retired. Knights of the Order of St. George had much more rights.
This measure significantly strengthened the prestige of award weapons, sharply reducing the number of awards. During the First World War, the Golden Arms of St. George again became a high and rare award, occupying a position somewhere between the 4th and 3rd degrees of the Order of St. George. At the same time, the gentlemen of the St. George's weapon under no circumstances had the right to replace it with an ordinary saber or dirk.
Storms civil war took the lives of many holders of the Order of St. George and the Arms of St. George. Their rewards were also lost. Only a few sabers and dirks with St. George ribbons that have survived in museums remind us of the fierce battles and heroic commanders who made the glory of the Russian army.
Golden weapons with diamonds appeared much earlier than “simple” golden weapons with the inscription “For bravery.” The first awards were made by Tsar Peter I. So in 1710, Admiral F.M. became a holder of the Golden Arms with Diamonds. Apraksin for mastery Swedish fortress Vyborg, in 1720 Prince M.M. Golitsyn for the victory over the Swedish fleet at Grengam Island. Under Empress Anna Ioanovna, after the successful Russian-Turkish war of 1735-1739, field marshals B.Kh. received swords with diamonds. Minikh and P.P. Lassi. Already under Empress Catherine II in 1762, such weapons were awarded to the winner of the army of Frederick the Great, Field Marshal P.S. Saltykov. But these were separate, very rare awards.
In 1774, after the victory in another war With the Turks, Catherine the Great introduced the awarding of gold weapons with diamonds into a constant, although infrequent, practice. The first cavaliers in Catherine's period were Field Marshal A.A. Prozorovsky and P.P. Rumyantsev, Lieutenant General G.A. Potemkin and some other famous commanders. Inscriptions appeared on their swords indicating the merits for which the weapon was awarded. Velikiy A.V. For two Russian-Turkish wars, Suvorov received two (!) swords with diamonds from the empress: the only case in the history of awards. At the beginning of the 19th century, these glorious awards were granted by Emperor Alexander I A.P. Ermolov, P.I. Bagration, A.I. Kutaisov, D.V. Davydov, Ataman Donskoy Cossack army M.I. Platov.
During the same period there appeared Golden weapons with diamonds and laurels. His first cavalier was Field Marshal General I.V. Gudovich for his exploits in the Caucasus. For the war with Napoleon, M.I. received a golden sword with a laurel wreath of emeralds. Kutuzov, sword with diamond laurels - M.B. Barclay-De-Tolly, General P.H. Wittgenstein - with diamonds and laurels and the inscription "For bravery." In 1828, for the war with Persia of 1826-28, Field Marshal I.F. By decree of Emperor Nicholas I, Pasievich was awarded a Golden Sword with diamonds and the inscription “For the defeat of the Persians at Elisavetpol.” While the Golden Arms could be awarded to commanders-in-chief since 1812, the awarding of Diamond Arms always remained the privilege of the Emperor. Therefore, his cavaliers were few at all times. So, for example, during the victorious Russian-Turkish war of 1877-78 there were only 22 of them per 500 cavaliers of the Golden Arms, including the legendary " white general"M.A. Skobelev. During the Russian-Japanese War of 1904-1905, only 7 military leaders received weapons with diamonds (golden weapons - 610).
In 1913, weapons with diamonds, along with the Golden Weapons, were “assigned” to the Order of St. George and called “St. George’s Weapons Decorated with Diamonds,” or Diamond Weapons. An image of the Order of St. George appeared on it, and it took place somewhere between the II and III degrees of the order. It was supposed to be worn mainly with dress uniform clothes, but without the St. George lanyard. In other cases (during campaigns, during exercises and in war, such weapons were replaced by St. George’s without decorations, but with a St. George’s lanyard. A year later, World War I began, and 8 new gentlemen of the Diamond Arms appeared. Among them was General A.A. Brusilov, who received a sword with diamonds and the inscription “For defeat” for his famous breakthrough Austro-Hungarian armies in Volyn, Bukovina and Galicia May 22-26, 1916." This award was the last in history Patriotic War- after October 1917, diamond weapons, unlike gold ones, were no longer revived. Thus one of the glorious pages of Russian history closed forever.
The Annensky weapon is characterized by the fact that this weapon in itself is not a reward. The award was the badge of the Order of St. Anne, junior degree, which was screwed to the hilt of an ordinary officer's saber or sword of the recipient. This unusual placement is due to the fact that the son of Empress Catherine II, Paul, being heir to the throne, created reduced insignia of the Order of St. Anne to award his comrades-in-arms in secret from his mother (see the section “Orders of Russia”). The gentleman of this miniature (2.5 cm in diameter) sign could always cover it by placing his hand on the hilt of the sword. After his accession to the throne, Paul I in 1797 made the Order of St. Anne all-Russian, dividing it into three degrees. He kept the youngest of them in the same “underground” form - on the hilt of a bladed weapon, in memory of his dramatic appearance.
During the Patriotic War of 1812, the Knights of the Annen Arms wore miniature straps on their chests with Annen insignia and order ribbons placed under them.
With the establishment by Emperor Alexander I in 1815 badge order named III degree, the sign on the hilt began to be called IV degree and placed at the end of the weapon handle. In 1828, Emperor Nicholas I ordered the inscription “For Bravery” to be placed on the hilt of the Annensky weapon and the award to be called the “Order of St. Anne, IV degree with the inscription “For Bravery.” The issue of awarding was decided by the Order Duma. The unusual order - the only one in the world! - quickly won popularity in military environment, especially in the Caucasus, where the war raged for almost half a century. But a large number of awards, which automatically gave the cavaliers the rights of hereditary nobility, required changes in the award rules. According to the statute of 1845, only holders of the first degree of the order received the right to acquire hereditary nobility, and holders of other degrees (i.e., the Annenian weapon) acquired only personal nobility, and their children received hereditary honorary citizenship.
In 1855, during the Crimean War, Emperor Alexander II assigned a lanyard made from an order ribbon to the Annensky weapon. Its characteristic red color and the declining prestige of the order due to the huge number of awards earned it the name "cranberry". By the end of the century, all officers who had been in at least several battles had a “cranberry”, which in the end made it not a reward, but a kind of “insignia”.
In 1880, another change appeared in Annen weapons. This is due to the fact that in return Golden weapons with diamonds, they were allowed to wear gold weapons without decorations, but with a miniature sign of the Order of St. George on the top of the hilt. Therefore, the sign of the Order of St. Anne was moved under the hilt, on a special plate protruding over the legs. In this form, the Annensky weapon existed until the end of the civil war in 1922.
During the First World War, “Vladimirs” of the 4th and 3rd degrees could be seen on the uniforms of front-line generals and officers quite often. This was a high, respected award that was supposed to be worn on all varieties uniforms and under all circumstances. They were awarded the order in 1914–1917. also military clergy - 203 of them received the 4th degree of “St. Vladimir”, 85 – 3rd degree. Moreover, one of them was awarded with the wording “to reward the merits of his son.” It was Alexey Lechitsky - father outstanding commander Infantry General Platon Alekseevich Lechitsky, whose 9th Army covered itself with unfading glory during the Brusilov breakthrough.
On December 16, 1917, the Order of St. Vladimir was abolished along with other Russian orders. In total, in 1782–1917, about 700 orders of the 1st degree, about 3 thousand of the 2nd degree, about 10 thousand of the 3rd degree and about 30 thousand of the 4th degree were awarded. IN modern Russia this high and honorable award was not restored, but its motto “Benefit, honor and glory” was used in 1992 when establishing the highest order at that time Russian Federation"For services to the Fatherland."
Golden weapon “For bravery”/Arms of St. George
The first award weapon awarded in Russia is now stored in the Tsarskoye Selo Museum-Reserve. This saber, the golden inscription on the blade of which states that it was granted to the steward Bogdan Matveevich Khitrovo by Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, who reigned in 1613–1645. But whether this was a badge of honor for a military feat or simply a sign of the sovereign’s favor is unknown. But the “golden sword with rich diamond decorations,” awarded on July 27, 1720, went to Prince Mikhail Mikhailovich Golitsyn for the brilliant victory over the Swedish squadron at Grenham. From this day begins the history of Russian award weapons.
Award St. George's checker. Late XIX V.
On throughout the XVIII V. golden weapons were issued to senior Russian military leaders for brilliant exploits 280 times. The hilts of such swords were made of gold (later they were simply gilded on top), some swords were also decorated with diamonds (80 of these were issued). Since June 1788, the Golden Arms for the first time began to be awarded not only to generals, but also to officers. The first such swords were awarded to participants in the assault on the Ochakov fortress; on the hilts of eight swords there was an inscription “For courage shown in the battle on June 7, 1788 on the Ochakovsky estuary,” and on the other twelve there was the same inscription, but without indicating the date. Subsequently, the inscription changed to “For bravery.” At first, these words were engraved on the blade, hilt, and from 1790 on the guard of the weapon. It could also be awarded to naval officers (the sword and then the saber in this case were replaced by a broadsword or dagger).
Under Paul I, who banned all “Catherine’s” awards, the Golden Arms were not awarded. This tradition was resumed only in 1805, and on September 28, 1807, the first official regulation on award weapons was approved. It was divided into Golden Weapons “For Bravery” with and without diamonds. Separate view the award weapon was Annensky - this was the name of the lowest, 3rd (from 1815 4th) degree of the Order of St. Anne (for its history, see the chapter “Order of St. Anne”).
During the Patriotic War of 1812, award weapons were awarded to officers and generals quite often: in 1812, 241 valiant soldiers were awarded them, in 1813-1814 – 685. For courage shown in the Crimean (Eastern) War of 1853–1856 ., 456 generals and officers received golden weapons in the Russian-Turkish War of 1877–1878. – 500, per Russo-Japanese War 1904–1905 – 410.
Since 1855, the Golden Weapon “For Bravery” was accompanied by a lanyard of St. George’s (black and yellow) colors. Starting from 1859, an officer of any rank could be nominated for the Golden Arms, but chief officers (in the ranks of ensign to captain) should have already been awarded the Order of St. Anne, 4th degree “For Bravery” (Annen Arms ) or the Order of St. George 4th degree.
From September 1, 1869, all persons awarded the Golden Weapon “For Bravery” were officially assigned to the Knights of St. George. The general awarded this weapon with diamonds was obliged, at his own expense, to produce a simplified version without diamonds for everyday wear in the ranks, while the badge of the Order of St. George was attached to the hilt. There was no order insignia on ordinary Golden weapons.
Since 1913, the Golden Weapon “For Bravery” received the official name of the St. George Weapon. Outwardly, it differed from the Golden one in that now a small (17 by 17 mm) enamel cross of the Order of St. George was placed on the hilts of all award weapons.
In 1914–1916 behind military merits During the First World War, eight outstanding military leaders were awarded the Arms of St. George with diamonds. It was awarded only for the most outstanding victories and differed from the St. George weapon in that on the “diamond” saber the inscription “For bravery” was replaced detailed description feat, for which weapons were awarded, and the cross of St. George on the hilt was decorated with diamonds. The cavaliers of such weapons became Supreme Commander Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich, infantry generals Platon Alekseevich Lechitsky and Pyotr Petrovich Kalitin, artillery generals Vladimir Aleksandrovich Irmanov and Samed-bek Sadyk-bek ogly Mehmandarov, cavalry general Alexey Alekseevich Brusilov, lieutenant generals Sergei Fedorovich Dobrotin and Anton Ivanovich Denikin. Moreover, Denikin received the St. George’s weapon twice for the capture of the same city - Lutsk. For his release on November 10, 1915, he was awarded the Arms of St. George; then Lutsk was abandoned by Russian troops and on May 23, 1916, liberated a second time, and the general’s reward was the St. George’s Arms with diamonds and the inscription “For the double liberation of Lutsk.”
On December 16, 1917, all types of awards, including award weapons, were abolished in the Russian army. There are many copies of the Golden and St. George weapons that have survived, but it is now very difficult to establish that they belonged to a specific person - after all, such weapons were not registered.
This was the second St. George's award, which appeared after the Order of St. George. Its establishment is associated with the heroic assault Turkish fortress Izmail in 1790. Then, in the midst of the battle, all the officers of Polotsk were killed infantry regiment, the attack was on the verge of failure. And then the regimental priest Fr. appeared at the head of the column. Trofim (Kutsinsky), who led the assault with a cross in his hand. Inspired by the sight of their beloved shepherd, the soldiers rushed to the attack... After the capture of Ishmael A.V. Suvorov reported to P.A. Potemkin: “Today we will have a thanksgiving prayer service. It will be sung by the Polotsk priest, who was with the cross in front of this brave regiment.” Father Trofim became the first holder of the Golden Pectoral Cross on the St. George Ribbon. The award was not only honorable, but also very rare - until 1903, only 194 army clergy were awarded it.
Here is a description of some of the feats for which military shepherds were awarded the Golden Pectoral Cross. Priest of the Azov Infantry Regiment Fr. During the defense of Sevastopol (1854–1855), Damian performed both his direct duties and replaced orderlies in battle. When the bandages ran out, the priest bandaged the wounded with the fabric of his cassock and cassock. Priest of the Kamchatka Infantry Regiment Fr. Ioannikios during Crimean War captured an enemy officer. And the priest of the cruiser "Varyag" Fr. During the famous unequal battle between his ship and the Japanese squadron, Mikhail was always on deck with an image in his hands, inspiring the fighting sailors and seeing off last way dying...
Golden pectoral cross on the St. George ribbon
The first reliable award of edged weapons in the Russian regular troops dates back to the era of Peter the Great. On June 27, 1720, the Russian galley fleet under the command of General Prince M. Golitsyn defeated the Swedish squadron off the island of Grengam. The winners were awarded: all officers received gold medals, non-commissioned officers and boatswains received silver medals, soldiers and sailors received money “according to maritime regulations.” M. Golitsyn was “sent a golden sword richly decorated with diamonds as a sign of his military work.”
IN archival materials contains information about dozens of awards with edged weapons with diamonds (diamonds) dating back to the end of the 18th century. Let us immediately note that we're talking about not about gifts, but about awards, and exclusively military ones, intended only for military personnel. Those marked with weapons were included, as a rule, in general lists awarded “ranks, swords and cavalry” (i.e. orders).
On July 10, 1775, when the anniversary of the victorious Kuchuk-Kainardzhi peace that ended the Russian-Turkish war was celebrated, eleven of the most outstanding military leaders who won decisive victories in this war, were marked with swords decorated with diamonds. Among them were A. Golitsyn, the outstanding Russian commander P. Rumyantsev, generals P. Panin, V. Dolgorukov, A. Orlov, G. Potemkin, lieutenant generals A. Suvorov and A. Prozorovsky and Major General P. Potemkin.
The awards for the Russian-Turkish War of 1768-1774 end the first period in the development of the history of domestic gold weapons. By this time, each receipt of a sword is marked with a special rescript addressed to the recipient, and the distinction is entered into the service record of the recipient. Until 1788, only generals received award swords, and the weapons were always decorated with precious stones. During the hostilities of the late 80s, the right to be awarded this award was extended to officers, with the only difference being that they received swords without expensive decorations. Instead, the inscription “For Bravery” has appeared on the hilt of the officer’s award sword since 1788.
On the Turkish front, military operations continued until the fall of 1791. The main event of the campaign was the storming of the powerful Turkish fortress of Izmail under the leadership of Suvorov. The assault took place on December 11, 1790, and already on January 8, the first lists of those who distinguished themselves were presented to the Empress.
Along with orders and ranks, generals and officers were presented with award weapons. According to our data, three gold weapons with diamonds and twenty-four without diamonds were issued for the assault on Ishmael. All swords and sabers had the inscription “For bravery” on both sides of the hilt.
The last known case of awarding golden weapons in the 18th century dates back to 1796, when the famous Don commander Matvey Ivanovich Platov, who then had the army rank of brigadier, was awarded a golden saber with diamonds “For Bravery” for the Persian campaign. The campaign was interrupted due to the accession to the throne of Paul I and the change foreign policy Russia and remained “Persian” only in name. In Pavlov’s time, golden weapons “For Bravery” were never issued. During XVIII century golden weapons were issued approximately three hundred times, including more than eighty decorated with diamonds.
Awards with golden weapons resumed with the accession of Alexander I. Many Russian officers and generals earned swords and sabers “For Bravery” during the wars with the French in 1805 and 1806-1807. Their names are the pride of our country military history: P. Bagration, D. Davydov, D. Dokhturov, A. Ermolov... The first of the battles of the 19th century, the distinguished participants of which were given golden weapons, was the Battle of Austerlitz. Golden swords and sabers were awarded to those officers who the most difficult situation They did not lose their cool and, with their skillful and brave actions, reduced the losses of the Russian army.
On September 28, 1807, a decree was signed on classifying officers and generals awarded with golden weapons “For Bravery” as holders of Russian orders. The names of persons who received golden weapons were to be included in the general cavalry list of the Chapter of Orders of the Russian Empire. The decree fixed in fact the previously established position, according to which the awarding of golden weapons became higher than the receipt of certain orders. By this time I had finally decided appearance Russian award weapons. Golden weapons for officers had the inscription “For Bravery” on the hilt, general and admiral weapons were decorated with diamonds, and on weapons for major generals (and equal naval ranks) the same inscription “For Bravery” was usually placed, and for lieutenant generals and above - more extensive, explaining the reason for the award.
The Patriotic War began, and hundreds of Russian officers and generals served in its fields honorary award. Among those who received the “general’s” diamond weapon were P. Konovnitsin, M. Miloradovich, N. Ilovaisky, A. Ozharovsky, V. Orlov-Denisov, F. Shteingel, A. Bistrom, N. Depreradovich and many others. Ivan Semenovich Dorokhov, who had the rank of lieutenant general, was awarded a gold sword with diamonds and the inscription “For the liberation of Vereya” for storming the fortifications of Vereya on September 19, 1812. During this period, several more awards are known for weapons decorated with diamonds, with inscriptions explaining the reason for their award.
Some officers and generals were awarded golden weapons more than once. Thus, Alexey Petrovich Nikitin in 1812, being a colonel of the horse artillery, received a gold sword “For Bravery,” and in 1813 and 1814, already having the rank of general, he was twice awarded gold swords with diamonds.
Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov for 1812, among others numerous awards, was celebrated on October 16 with a golden sword with diamonds and additional decorations in the form of emerald laurel wreaths. Formally, the award was given for the Battle of Tarutino on October 6, 1812. But this was only a small reward for wise leadership all armed forces of the state in one of the most difficult periods in his history. The certificate received by Kutuzov on the occasion of being awarded the golden sword said: “Let this warlike sign, worthily acquired by you, precede the glory with which, after the eradication of the common enemy, your fatherland and Europe will crown you.” There is a document certifying that the award sword worth 25,125 rubles was awarded to “his lordship.”
On March 19, 1855, at the height of the Crimean War, a decree “On the establishment of visible distinction for golden weapons and the Order of St. Anne of the fourth degree for military exploits” appeared. This decree prescribed that gold weapons without diamond decorations should be worn with a lanyard from St. George's black and orange ribbon.
In 1913, when a new statute of the Order of St. George appeared, the golden weapons assigned to this order received a new official name - St. George's weapon and St. George's weapon, decorated with diamonds. A small enamel cross of the Order of St. George began to be placed on all types of these weapons, with the only difference being that on weapons with diamonds the cross was also decorated with precious stones. On the general's weapons, the inscription “For Bravery” was replaced by an indication of the feat for which the award was given. From that time on, the hilt of the St. George weapon was officially not gold, but only gilded.
In the history of the First World War, the St. George weapon became one of the honorary insignia and at the same time a widespread type of award. During the year of hostilities from January to December 1916, 2,005 individuals were awarded the St. George's Arms, three of them with arms decorated with diamonds. General Brusilov also received it for his famous “ Brusilov breakthrough” on headed by him Southwestern Front. On the checker was the inscription: “For the defeat of the Austro-Hungarian armies in Volhynia, Bukovina and Galicia on May 22-25, 1916.”
A curious order was issued in February 1918 for the Petrograd Military District due to the fact that weapons, both firearms and cold steel, were being confiscated from the population: “Due to incoming petitions former cavaliers St. George's weapon for permission to store such as a memory of participation in the war, in addition to the Order for the district dated January 15 of this year No. 9, I announce for information and leadership that military personnel awarded in past campaigns for combat distinctions St. George's weapon, they have the right to keep it as a memory of participation in the war, with permission from the district headquarters. Commander-in-Chief of the Air Defense Forces Eremeev.”
Valery DUROV, bratishka.ru
Photo by Vladimir BOYKO
St. George's weapon and awards
The St. George weapon was officially introduced in 1913 by the regulations on awards, which stated: “Those in military ranks may be awarded the St. George weapon. By St. George's weapons we mean: swords, sabers, broadswords, checkers and daggers of existing samples with hilts, completely gilded, with laurel decorations on the rings and scabbard tips. On the hilt there is an inscription: “For bravery” and a cross of the Order of St. George of a reduced size made of enamel is placed, and the lanyard for the weapon is made of St. George’s ribbon. It complains to generals, staff and chief officers for outstanding military exploits requiring undoubted self-sacrifice.” The St. George weapon, decorated with diamonds, was complained only to generals and admirals.
One of the first reliably known awards with edged weapons dates back to the Peter the Great era. On June 27, 1720, for the defeat of the Swedish squadron on the island of Grengam, Prince Golitsyn “was sent a gold sword with rich diamond decorations as a sign of his military labor.”
Subsequently, there are many awards known for golden weapons with diamonds for generals, and without diamonds for officers with various honorary inscriptions (“For courage”, “For courage”, as well as some indicating the specific merits of the recipient).
On September 28, 1807, a decree was signed assigning officers and generals awarded the golden weapon “For Bravery” to the status of knight of the Russian order.
Since 1855, a lanyard of St. George's flowers was attached to the Golden weapon.
In 1869, those awarded the Golden Arms received the public status of Knight of St. George, but the arms themselves were considered a separate independent award. Since 1878, the general, awarded the Golden weapon with diamonds, at his own expense had to make a simple Golden weapon with a St. George lanyard to be worn in the ranks outside of parades; the cross of the Order of St. George was attached to the hilt of the weapon. The Order's cross was not attached to the Golden Weapon "For Bravery", only a lanyard.
In the new Statute of the Order of St. George in 1913, the Golden Arms was included in the Order of St. George as one of its differences with official name: St. George's Arms and the St. George's Arms, decorated with diamonds. A small enamel cross of the Order of St. George began to be placed on the hilt of all types of these weapons.
Imperial Military Order of the Holy Great Martyr and Victorious George (Order of St. George)- highest military award Russian Empire. In an expanded sense, it is a comprehensive set of differences between officers, lower ranks and military units.
Established by Empress Catherine II on November 26 (December 7), 1769 in honor of St. George to honor officers for their services on the battlefield and abolished in 1917 after October revolution. He had four degrees of distinction. More than 10 thousand people were awarded the Order, the first highest degree Order of only 23 people, of which only four became complete gentlemen. As well as 2 conferments of the insignia of the order of the 1st degree, by Empress Catherine II on the occasion of the establishment of the order, and by Alexander II on the occasion of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the order. 125 people were awarded the second degree of the order. Since 2000, the Order of St. George has been a military award of the Russian Federation.
Order badges were not numbered, but lists of those awarded were kept.
The Order of St. George stood out by its statute among other Russian orders as a reward for personal valor in battle, and the merits for which an officer could be awarded were strictly regulated by the statute of the order.
Order of St. George was established by Empress Catherine II on November 26 (December 7), 1769, a year after the start Russian-Turkish war 1768-1774 For the first time in Russia, the order was divided into 4 degrees, and was intended to be awarded purely for excellence in military exploits. Another possibility was also envisaged: since “not always everyone faithful son in the fatherland, such cases open up where his jealousy and courage can shine,” those “who have served as a chief officer in the field service for 25 years, and served as officers in the naval campaign for 18 campaigns” could also apply for the order of the 4th degree.”
In 1807, the “Insignia of the Military Order” was established for lower ranks assigned to the Order of St. George. The insignia (silver cross) would later acquire the unofficial name of “soldier’s George.” The number of awards given to one person with the insignia was not limited. Officers were not awarded, but could wear this badge if they received it before promotion to the rank of officer.
Awarding a gold bladed weapon with the inscription “For bravery” and a lanyard from the St. George’s ribbon is officially equivalent to an order, and those awarded gold weapons are included in the general list of the order.
In 1833, the statute of the order was described in detail, with detailed description military virtues for each branch of the military for which they were entitled to awards. The length of service required to be awarded for long service was described in more detail, and the requirement to participate in at least one battle was added to receive the George 4th degree for long service. A strictly sequential order of awards was established from 4th to 3rd degree. The statute included articles for the soldier’s “Insignia of the Military Order.”
St. George's crosses of four degrees.
Awarding the Order of St. George of the second degree has always served as an indicator of recognition of military leadership. This order was earned in battle by outstanding Russian military leaders F.F. Ushakov, P.I. Bagration, M.I. Platov, P.P. Konovnitsyn, A.I. Osterman-Tolstoy, N.N. Raevsky, A.P. Ermolov, I.V. Gurko, M.D. Skobelev. The last holder of the order of the second degree was Infantry General N.N. Yudenich, commander Caucasian Front to the First world war.
Order of St. George of the third degree was awarded to the famous generals I.A. Hannibal, I.M. de Ribas, J.P. Kulnev (Napoleon called him one of the best cavalry officers), P.S. Kaisarov, M.I. Dragomirov, A.A. Brusilov.
Thousands of generals and officers of the Russian army became Knights of the Order of the Fourth Class. List the names of even the most famous of them in short article It's simply impossible. This is the partisan poet D.V. Davydov, and the famous battle painter V.V. Vereshchagin, and Decembrist S.G. Volkonsky, and the outstanding scientist and naval commander Admiral S.O. Makarov. In 1904, an unprecedented event occurred when all officers who participated in the battle were presented with the Order of St. George of the fourth degree. This happened after the famous battle of the ships “Varyag” and “Koreyets” with the enemy squadron at Chemulpo on January 27. Even the ship's priest of the Varyag, M. Rudnev, received a gold pectoral cross on St. George's ribbon(which has been a military insignia since 1790).
Until 1855, the order of the fourth degree was awarded to officers for 25 years of service in the army or participation in 18 campaigns in the navy. But in this case, a corresponding inscription was placed on the arms of the order badge.
During the First World War, they began to award the Order of St. George and posthumously. One of the first to “capture a feat with death,” as it was written in the orders for posthumous awards, was pilot P.N. Nesterov, who carried out the world's first aerial ramming.
After February revolution It was allowed to award the Order of St. George of the lower ranks, who took on the duties of officers during the battle and showed courage. At the same time, by decision of a meeting of the lower ranks of the unit, officers could be awarded a soldier's medal for their exploits. St. George's Cross. In these cases, a metal laurel branch was added to the ribbon of the order or the Cross of St. George. Such awards were especially highly valued in the army.
There was another very prestigious award in the Russian army for officers and generals for exploits on the battlefield, which introduced its owners to the rank of Knights of St. George. This is the golden weapon of St. George.
To reward lower ranks in Russia, since 1807, there has been the Insignia of the Military Order of St. George - the famous soldier's St. George's Cross. It repeated the shape of the sign of the Order of St. George, but was made of silver. The statute of the Insignia listed specific “military feats that may give the right to such a distinction.”
The first to be awarded the Soldier's George were non-commissioned officer of the Cavalry Regiment E.I. Mityukhin, non-commissioned officer of the Pskov Dragoon Regiment V. Mikhailov and private of the Cavalry Regiment K. Ovcharenko. They were awarded the insignia of the Military Order numbered 1, 2, 3. The first woman to receive the insignia of the Military Order was Nadezhda Durova, the famous cavalry maiden. Cross number 6723 was awarded to her for saving an officer in battle.
Initially, the Insignia of the Military Order had no degrees, but in 1856 it was divided into four degrees: the first and second - golden crosses, the third and fourth - silver.
In 1913, a new statute was approved, and the Insignia of the Military Order became officially known as the Cross of St. George.
Awarding the Cross of St. George gave significant privileges: increased pay, a pension upon transfer to the reserve, exemption from corporal punishment, assignment of the next military rank to sub-ensign, etc.
The Cross of St. George was worn even after it was conferred officer rank. The Decembrists M.M. proudly wore on their uniforms the modest soldier’s St. George’s Crosses they received for Borodino. Muravyov-Apostol and I.D. Yakushkin. They earned four St. George's Crosses during the First World War famous generals I.V. Tyulenev and V.I. Chapaev. The Knights of St. George were outstanding Soviet military leaders G.K. Zhukov, K.K. Rokossovsky, R.Ya. Malinovsky. Full Knight of St. George Don Cossack K.I. Nedorubov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his exploits during the Great Patriotic War.
In the first half of the 19th century, the medal “For Bravery” on the St. George ribbon was established to reward lower ranks for military exploits. Since 1878, the medal has been divided into four classes. The first and second are gold, the third and fourth are silver.
Recipient of the full bow of the St. George's Award Semyon Budyonny
In 1913, the medal “For Bravery” was added to the St. George’s awards. From that time on, the complete “St. George’s bow” began to consist of four St. George’s crosses and four St. George’s medals “For bravery”. Earn full St. George's bow it was extremely difficult. It was an indicator of enormous courage, military skill and valor of the recipient. During the First World War full bow S.M. deserved St. George's awards. Budyonny.
The Medal of Bravery could also be awarded to civilians, but only for courage in wartime. So, in the First World War the first military award in the north of Russia in the White Sea region the daughter of the lighthouse keeper M. Bagrentsev received it. And the recipient was only twelve years old at that time.
There were also special collective awards for entire military units related to the Order of St. George. These are special “St. George’s distinctions” - banners, standards, flags, trumpets, horns, buttonholes on the collars of the uniforms of lower ranks. They were issued to regiments and crews that especially distinguished themselves in battles.
The first St. George banners and standards were earned at the Battle of Shengraben in 1805 by the Kiev Grenadier,
Chernigov Dragoons, Pavlograd Hussars and two Don Cossack regiments. Let us remember the first battle of Petya Rostov and the battery of Captain Tushin in the novel “War and Peace” - it was the Battle of Shengraben that was described by L. N. Tolstoy.
St. George's banners and standards differed from regular topics, that an inscription was embroidered on the cloth, explaining for what feat the reward was given. So, on the first there was an inscription: “For exploits at Shengraben on November 4, 1805 in the battle of 5,000 corps with an enemy consisting of 30,000.”
Instead of a double-headed eagle, the sign of the Order of St. George was inserted into the tops of St. George's banners and standards, and the tassels were attached to the shaft on St. George's ribbons, and not on galloon braid. In addition, on the banners on the chest of the double-headed eagle a shield with St. George was depicted. Later, lanyards on the St. George ribbon began to be tied to the shafts. A large number of St. George's banners and standards were awarded for exploits during the Patriotic War of 1812. With rare exceptions, all regimental banners had the same inscription: “For distinction in the defeat and expulsion of the enemy from the borders of Russia. 1812"
The first Trumpets of St. George were awarded to the Moscow Grenadier and Starodubovsky Dragoon regiments for successful actions during the Russian-Turkish War of 1810. Subsequently, the orchestras of many guards and army regiments were decorated with silver glitter and the special sound of award trumpets and horns.
St. George's stern flags, pennants and admiral's flags were introduced in 1819 as a reward for the exploits of the Russian navy. The difference between the St. George naval flag and the usual St. Andrew's was that in its center there was a red shield with the image of St. George slaying a dragon.
The first among the ships of the Russian fleet, the stern St. George flag was received by the crew battleship"Azov" for the courage shown in the battle of Navarino with Turkish fleet in 1827.
Thus, a logical system of the most popular and coveted award for military exploits gradually developed in Russia - the institution of the Order of the Holy Great Martyr and Victorious George.
After October events In 1917, orders and all insignia were abolished, and the existing one under the Ministry was abolished. imperial court Chapter of Russian Orders. But nice martial traditions ancestors were not forgotten. Years passed and the St. George's Awards were revived. In 1943 it was established soldier's medal Glory of three degrees, the statute of which resembles the provision of the St. George's Cross, and the order is worn on a black and orange St. George's ribbon. On the same ribbon, veterans wear the medal “For Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.” St. George's ribbons decorate the visors of sailors from guards warships. And these days, the glorious awards of the Fatherland have returned to the award system of Russia - the Order of St. George and the Cross of St. George.
Clergy awards
WITH late XVIII V. persons of clergy could be presented with St. George's awards, among which were the Order of St. George, a golden pectoral cross on a St. George's ribbon, a golden panagia on a St. George's ribbon, insignia of the Military Order (St. George's crosses), and St. George's medals. Wherein regulatory documents there was no information on the procedure for awarding clergy with St. George's awards.
The panagia on the St. George ribbon was granted to the Bishop of Dmitrov during the First World War. Trifon (Turkestan) (1915) and Kremenets bishop. Dionysius (Valedinsky) (1916). Clergymen could receive insignia of the Military Order (St. George's Crosses). This badge was, in particular, awarded during the Patriotic War of 1812 to sexton Smiryagin, who acted at the head of a detachment of peasants and fought off one of the battles battle banner from the French.
Since 1885, the wearing of secular insignia by clergy during worship was not allowed, with the exception of the Order of St. George, the pectoral cross on the St. George ribbon and the cross in memory of the Crimean War of 1853-1856. Since 1886, priests were allowed to wear 2 pectoral crosses at the same time only if one of them was on the St. George ribbon or in memory of the Crimean War. The approval of awards for clergy was carried out by the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church abroad until the beginning. 30s XX century G. o. 4th degree from the beginning XIX century by March 1917, 16 people were awarded.
Pectoral cross on the St. George ribbon to the end. XIX century received at least 170 people, from the beginning. XX century to March 1917 - no less than 330 people. Among those awarded were several. chaplains, British citizen W. R. F. Addison was the only chaplain granted the Order of St. George (1916). OK. 10 clergy were awarded the G. o. and the soldier's St. George Cross from March 1917 to February. 1918. At least 13 people were awarded the pectoral cross on the St. George ribbon. in the White Guard.
Archive: RGIA. F. 806. Op. 1-5, 16-17; GARF. F. 3696. Op. 1. D. 15-16; Op. 2. D. 1, 3, 5; RGVIA. F. 2044. Op. 1. D. 8-9, 18-19, 28; F. 2082. Op. 1. D. 7.
Literature: Kapkov K. G. St. George's Awards. clergy // 11th All-Russian. Numismatic Conf. St. Petersburg, April 14-18 2003: Abstract. report and message St. Petersburg, 2003. pp. 284-286; aka. Memorial book St. George's Awards grew up clergy (in press).
The prickly snow blinded his eyes, but the rider spurred his horse. Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich was furious: part of the soldiers of the Life Guards of the Moscow Regiment went after the Decembrist rebels. For almost two years he zealously and lovingly attended to the regiment. Traitors!
Confrontation on Senate Square
“Soldiers, you have been vilely deceived,” the prince turned to the Muscovites, among whom a rumor had been spread that Mikhail Pavlovich had been arrested and put in chains by order of the tsar, “are you now, out of your duty, ready to swear allegiance to Tsar Nikolai Pavlovich?”
Glad to try!
Already on Senate Square Mikhail Pavlovich alone, without any security, approaches the rebels. The Decembrist Kuchelbecker shoots at him - the gun misfires. According to another version, the conspirator Bestuzhev managed to move the gun to the side...
In November 1826, for loyalty and fearlessness, the sovereign appointed Mikhail Pavlovich commander Guards Corps. And in the open “Weapons” fund of the Suvorov Museum, his Golden Sword “For Bravery” is on display. But if they were giving weapons for mercy, then Mikhail Pavlovich would definitely receive such a reward. It was he who, when the Decembrists were tried, begged the Tsar to replace Kuchelbecker’s execution with a 15-year sentence. And in 1835, the term was reduced by five years - again at the request of the Grand Duke...
In 1807, all award weapons were included in the Chapter Russian orders and into the award system of the Russian Empire. It would seem that the path of any famous sword is easy to trace. But this one turned out to have an extremely complicated history...
Two royal swords
August 28, 1849 General Feldzeichmeister, main boss Pagesky and military land cadet corps, commander of the Guards and Grenadier Corps, chief of many regiments, 4th son of Emperor Paul, last brother of Emperor Nicholas I, Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich died in Warsaw at the age of fifty-one. He bequeathed his weapons and awards with the permission of the emperor military units and the formations he commanded.
The fate of all the artifacts is known - except for the sword "For Bravery". The fact is that for the suppression of the Polish uprising of the 1830s, the emperor granted his brother two swords at once. The first gold medal is “For bravery” in the battle of Ostroleka. The Grand Duke received the second, decorated with diamonds, after the war. The double royal favor has confused some historians; in their minds, the two awards have merged into one.
The Grand Duke bequeathed the diamond to the guard, but where is the sword “For Bravery”?
Our museum staff found out: the Grand Duke gave it to General Vladimir Karlovich Knorring (1784-1864) during his lifetime. Participant napoleonic wars, he fought at Austerlitz and Friedland, and was awarded the Golden Arms "For Bravery". For distinction in the battle of Polotsk, being the commander of a squadron of the Life Guards Cavalry Regiment, he was awarded the order St. George IV degree...
Son for father
After the revolution, the sword was taken to Paris. From a symbol of courage and devotion, she became the personification of ardent love for Russia, a passionate dream of returning to her homeland. The great-grandson of the general, Konstantin Konstantinovich Knorring, donated the sword to the Parisian Museum of Cavalry Guards.
The honor of saving this museum belongs to the last commander of the regiment, Vladimir Nikolaevich Zvegintsov. He commanded cavalry guards in the First World War, and in the Civil War he was a member Volunteer Army. His son Vladimir received a higher education in exile economic Education, long years worked at the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris. But he considered it his life’s work to continue the mission of his father, the regimental chronicler. From 1959 to 1980, his main works were published: “The Russian Army of 1914. Detailed deployment...”, “Chronology of the Russian Army (1700-1917)”, “Banners and Standards of the Russian Army from the 16th Century to 1914”, "Russian Army". The author has brought together and systematized various sources from the collections of foreign and Russian museums, archives, libraries and private collections, creating a unique basis for future research.
Thanks to V.V. Zvegintsov, the Russian State Military Historical Archive received an invaluable collection of documents from the “Cavalry Guard Family” - an association of emigrant officers of the Cavalry Guard Regiment. And in 1994, the historian donated the Grand Duke’s sword to the Suvorov Museum.
After Polish campaign Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich received another insignia, like the Tsar and all Russian officers. Mustaches were legalized for the military! How many women's fortresses have fallen, how many hearts have been won thanks to them, only God knows...