Decoration of Military Order of degree 2 for
1904-1905 years #1207
Decoration of Military Order of degree 3
for 1877-1878 years #3046
Decoration of Military Order of degree 3 for
1904-1905 years type #13237
Decoration of Military Order of degree 4 for 1877-1878years
#73413
Decoration of Military Order of degree 4 for
1904-1905 years type #180504
Decoration of Military Order of degree 4 for
non-Christians #1195
In 1856 the
statute of Military Order Decoration was again changed. The change of cross appearance was
not great & related only to lower beam of reverse where inscriptions of degree 1,
degree 2, degree 3 & 4 appeared. The orders were divided into four degrees & this
explains appearance of "degree" word with figures from 1 to 4 on the lower beam
of cross:
Degree 1-golden cross with George ribbon & bow.
Degree 2-golden cross with George ribbon without bow.
Degree 3- silver cross with George ribbon & bow.
Degree 4- silver cross with George ribbon without bow.
The same changes concerned appearance of cross for the non-Christians. The lower beam of
obverse had a word "degree" & the orders were divided into four degrees
& had the same ribbons as Christians had.
In 1856 crosses numbering started from the very beginning & was an individual one for
each degree. The numbers were stamped on the left & right obverse beams, the same as
on crosses with no degrees. In 1856 all low ranks non-retired & having several
Military Orders decorations were recommended to the degree depending on the number of
recommendations. Low rank, decorated under statute for four times till 1856 in addition to
the decoration without degree, had Military Order of degree 1 (3 & 2 were not given);
the 3 times decorated had degree 2. Those low ranks that were decorated with Military
Orders after 1856 received all 4 degrees accordingly, beginning with degree 4 till degree
1. Such succession was strictly followed, though we know many cases when the low rank was
decorated with two orders of the same degree by mistake. If such mistake was detected, the
repeated order was withdrawn & next degree was given. Also we know some rare cases
when higher degree was decorated to low ranks without a previous one. Please find below
information of Military Orders decorations from 1856 till 1869