Award weapons have long been considered an honorary gift for their valor in battle. As a rule, it is nominal. It can be either a cold weapon or a firearm. It will be discussed in the article.
Military award traditions
Even in ancient times, Russian soldiers who distinguished themselves in battle by courage and bravery were awarded honorary weapons. Moreover, the king himself handed the award.
The premium weapons (usually drafts, sabers or broadswords) had a high-quality damask blade decorated with precious stones. And it was not just a reward and not just a weapon. Such a gift was considered a symbol of the honor and dignity of a combat officer, whether it be a dagger of a naval officer or a sword given to a nobleman. When the officer lost his honor, the award weapon was breaking above his head as a symbol of shame.
There is a known case when, after the February Revolution, the Black Sea Fleet began to fall apart (as a result of the influence of Bolshevik propaganda), Admiral Kolchak announced that he was relieving himself of the commander’s powers and threw over his award weapon - a golden saber presented to him for Port Arthur. The act of a true officer caused resonance in both the domestic and foreign press.
In the era of Peter and after
In the era of the reign of Emperor Peter the Great, award weapons were awarded both to officers of the regular army for military merits, and to military personnel of irregular troops - heterogeneous militias, popular militias, and units of various composition and purpose.
In St. Petersburg, in the Artillery Museum on Kronverkskaya Embankment, you can find the award broadsword, on the blade of which is inscribed: “For Poltava. Summer 1709 ". Admiral Apraksin was one of the first to be awarded an award weapon in the form of a golden sword for his valor and successful capture of the Vyborg fortress in 1710, which was occupied by the Swedes.
Under Peter II, Prince Mikhail Golitsyn was honored with a sword and cane studded with diamonds for his brilliant victory in the naval battle of Grengam. At the disposal of the prince was only 29 boats and 61 galleys - that was all he could oppose to the Swedish naval squadron. By strategic trick, the prince lured the enemy to the sandbank and attacked.
For the brilliant defeat of enemy troops, he was awarded the above award. The officers were awarded the gold medal on the St. Andrew’s ribbon, and the rank of lower rank went to silver medals.
Jewelry is a thing of the past
Beginning in 1774, the tradition of encrusting Russian award weapons was gradually becoming a thing of the past. The sabers, swords and broadswords themselves take on a slightly different look: a golden hilt appears with the inscription "For courage."
The first person to be awarded such a high award was Field Marshal Prince A. Prozorsky for winning the battle in the Ochakov estuary.
For the capture of the fortress of Izmail during the era of the war with the Ottoman Empire, many officers received many awards in the form of orders and medals, as well as golden weapons. Suvorov himself already had two golden swords at that time: one was awarded at the conclusion of peace between Russia and the Ottoman Port, the second went to victory on the Rymnik River.
The last recorded case when an officer was awarded a weapon of gold falls on 1796. We are talking about Matvey Ivanovich Platov and the Persian campaign, which was interrupted due to the coronation of Paul the First and a change in foreign policy schemes.
Prize weapons of Russia under Paul I
The golden weapon was canceled and replaced by another - the cross of the Order of St. Anne, placed in a circle, was attached to the hilt red. They began to call him “Anninsky,” and in the process among the officers of the Russian fleet one could hear the expression “cranberries” when this award weapon was mentioned (see photo below).
Under Alexander I
The tradition continued. However, the sovereign resumed rewarding with a tool of gold. Also, officers awarded such awards were equated with the holders of honorary orders and entered into special lists, which were published in the "Court calendars" - an annual publication that has been published since 1745.
In 1812, Emperor Alexander issued a decree according to which the commanders of the troops received the right to award weapons for courage. But the written letters of reward were approved personally by the king.
The fate of award traditions
In the era of the war of 1812, officers were awarded golden weapons, whose portraits can now be seen in the Hermitage's Military Gallery. Future revolutionaries were awarded the same awards, and Kutuzov had the most expensive award sword decorated with precious stones and gold wreaths.
General Skobelev was awarded three times:
- for the capture of Andijan in 1875;
- Kokand campaign in 1876;
- Crossing the Balkans in 1878
Awarding of foreigners
Foreign allies were often awarded honorary weapons. Among these are the Prussian General G.L. Blucher, the Duke of Austria A.W. Wellington and Prince K.F. Schverzenberg. Awarded by Alexander I.
Twentieth Century. White Guards
Many leaders of the White movement had award weapons.
- The creator of the army of volunteers, Mikhail Vasilievich Alekseev (received a golden saber with the inscription "For courage" for military merits during the Russo-Japanese War of 1906).
- The leader of the White movement of the South of Russia during the Civil War, Anton Denikin (had two award weapons: St. George's for taking Grodek in 1914; and St. George's with diamonds for the liberation of Lutsk in 1916).
- The previously mentioned Alexander Vasilievich Kolchak, who was approved for the post of Supreme Ruler of Russia, is a post that was subsequently abolished.
- The commander-in-chief on the north-west during the Civil War, Nikolai Nikolayevich Yudenich (he was awarded the gold weapon "For Courage" for his services during the Russo-Japanese War).
Twentieth Century. The Bolsheviks
The tradition was adopted by the Reds, but in their own way. The award weapon, previously owned by Russian officers, underwent a slight change: crosses were removed from the hilt and the Order of the Red Banner was attached to their place, it was called "Honorary revolutionary weapon." About 21 people received such an award during the Civil War, among them such as S. S. Kamenev, V. I. Shorin, S. M. Budenny, M. N. Tukhachevsky, I. P. Uborevich, M. V. Frunze , K. E. Voroshilov and S. S. Vostretsov.
December 1924 was marked by the first decree of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR, according to which firearms were included in the list of award weapons. A silver plate was applied to the hilt of the revolver, on which was inscribed "To the Honest Warrior of the Red Army from the Central Executive Committee of the USSR", and the Order of the Red Banner. They were presented to S. S. Kamenev and S. M. Budyonny.
Premium weapon of the Russian Federation today
The tradition has survived today. There is even a special law according to which rewarding takes place. Practically in any department there are corresponding funds responsible for awarding both melee and firearms. They are in the Ministry of Justice, the General Prosecutor's Office, as well as in the customs service and other law enforcement agencies.
The premium weapon of the Russian Federation still has a unique design, is decorated with the symbols of the corresponding structure, often the initials of the person to whom it is handed are inscribed on it. Often you can see photos of exclusive samples of personalized weapons on the shelves of museums. In their appearance, it is difficult to believe that someone ever shot from them: ornate handmade patterns, golden frames along the blackened contours of the case, patterned handle.
There are even gift samples of pistols for which a pencil case with tools for pulling cartridges is included.
Award Weapon Register
The list of military weapons that can be awarded to citizens of Russia includes some samples of 5.45, 7.62 and 9-mm pistols. In connection with the adoption of the decision of 01.20.2015, such pistols as the Glock-26 and STEYR M-A1 were added.
The premium weapons of the Russian Federation also include daggers, both military and artistic and decorative; sabers, drafts and broadswords, as well as knives (not tactical and without a mechanism for firing a cartridge).
Who can be awarded
A few words should be said about the storage of premium weapons. In modern Russia, such an award can be awarded to officers of the military and Interior Ministry officers for many years of painstaking and conscientious service. And also those who showed dedication in the performance of their military or official duty, tasks related to the threat of their own lives. Award weapons of the Russian Federation can also be awarded for a significant contribution to the development of law enforcement standards, the fight against crime, the strengthening and development of the structure of the internal troops and the work of the Russian Airborne Forces. That is, you need to have belonging to a particular power structure or army.
According to official sources, many have premium weapons. How to get it? The Minister of the Interior directly presents the award, and in his absence, the deputy.
The heads of the relevant departments submit applications for presentation to the award to the higher management: the internal affairs units - to the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, and the command of military units - to the Commander-in-Chief of Internal Troops according to the region of the army’s deployment.
Presentation takes place in a festive atmosphere personally in the hands of the awarded. A citizen awarded with such weapons registers a gift in the licensing department of the nearest police station at the place of residence, after which he receives permission to store premium weapons.
Storage and more
We must not forget that all the same measures should be taken as for self-defense weapons:
- at home there should be a safe, which will be checked by the precinct;
- weapons and ammunition are stored in the same safe;
- if the recipient lives on the first or last floor (or in a private house), installation of window grilles is necessary;
- may require the installation of burglar alarms.
Children should also be kept away from weapons. The safe should be in a place so that it is not striking constantly in the eye. The key to it should always be in only one person - the owner of the gift.
It must be worn in a holster (if it is a gun) or in a special case - sheath (if it is a checker, dagger or saber).
It is necessary to strictly observe all the necessary rules for handling weapons even when firing.
An employee dismissed for a gross violation may be deprived of his award by a decree of the Minister of the Interior. In this case, his permission to store and carry award weapons is considered invalid, and the award itself is withdrawn.
In the structures that applied for the award of such weapons, as well as in the licensing departments, a detailed record is kept of all the persons to whom it was issued. Information is recorded to the minute when permission for award weapons was issued.
There are cases when, for high services to the Fatherland, the awarded person is awarded an even higher honor after death - his weapon is not seized and does not return to the warehouse, but is transferred to the local museum emaciated. All proper storage conditions are observed. Thus, the name of the employee who valiantly performed his military and official duty is immortalized forever in the history of the city. The museum has a special place where honorary weapons will be stored, a corner will be dedicated to the owner: his life, his service, and the guide will tell the rare or frequent visitor about the exploits. Rumor will be passed from mouth to mouth, and the person’s name will become immortal.
Conclusion
There is an opinion that in the modern world it is not at all necessary to participate in battles in order to receive premium weapons. In fact, this is not so! Every day, law enforcement officers carry out heavy duty to ensure order on the streets of cities, villages and other settlements.
Dozens of special operations are carried out daily to identify and neutralize criminal groups and illegal terrorist gangs. In such circumstances, employees are constantly at risk. Each of them is waiting for their mothers, fathers, children and wives. But every day there is a risk that they will not wait.
And all this happens far from human eyes, so that the population lives, sleeps and works peacefully. Question: are these people at risk of being awarded premium weapons? The answer is yes.
The question of whether this award is worth it is posed incorrectly. After all, these people risk themselves not for the sake of reward, but for the sake of peace of their own families and population.