Russia (Poland, Warsaw) Bronze (Silvered) Medal 1903 – 100th Anniversary of the Life-Guards Uhlan Regiment – Nicholas II (1894–1917)

66.77g. 55mm. VF/XF+. Edge mark. 

Medalier: Not signed. 

Diakov 1373.1 Ae - R1. 

The medal was silvered to enhance its appearance — a common historical practice intended to improve visual qualities by applying a silver or gold coating. In this case, the surface was silvered over existing nicks, scratches and areas of corrosion. It was also subtly darkened (patinated) to accentuate the finer details of the design. 

Obv.: Conjoined left-facing busts of Emperor Nicholas II and Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. 

Rev.: Nine-line inscription listing the regiment’s historical predecessors, within a circular inscription indicating the regiment’s formal name and anniversary. 

Circular inscription: 

1803 • УЛАНСКIЙ • ЦЕСАР • КОНСТАНТИНА • ПАВЛОВИЧА • П • Л • ГВ • УЛАНСКIЙ • ЕГО • ВЕЛИЧЕСТВА • П • 1903 • ВАРШАВА • 

(1803 • Uhlan Regiment of His Majesty, of Grand Duke Constantine Pavlovich • Life Guards • 1903 • Warsaw). 

In center: 

1651 СУМСКIЙ | АХТЫРСКIЙ | ИЗЮМСКIЕ СЛОБОДСКIЕ | КАЗАЧЬИ ПОЛКИ | 1748 БАХМУТСКIЙ | КАЗАЧIЙ ПОЛКЪ | 1777 ПОЛТАВСКIЙ | ПИКИНЕРНЫЙ | ПОЛКЪ 

(1651 Sumy | Akhtyrka | Izyum Sloboda Cossack Regiments | 1748 Bakhmut Cossack Regiment | 1777 Poltava Pikinerny Regiment). 

The Life-Guards Uhlan Regiment of His Majesty traced its origins to 7 December 1817, when it was formed in Warsaw from a squadron of the existing Life-Guards Uhlan Regiment and selected men from other cavalry guard units. It was granted the privileges of the Old Guard and bore seniority dating back to 1651, based on its historical predecessors. For this reason, the regiment celebrated its 200th anniversary in 1851. It received its final designation on 19 February 1855 and was stationed in Warsaw as part of the Separate Guards Cavalry Brigade. The first uhlan regiment in the Russian army, however, had been established earlier—on 11 September 1803—as the Uhlan Regiment of the Heir and Grand Duke Constantine Pavlovich.