Museum complex

THE UNIFORM OF A GENERAL OF THE LIFE GUARDS SEMENOVSKY REGIMENT

Russia
1817–1825
Cloth, stamet, gold spun threads, gimp, sequins, brass; sewing "on the card"
Back length (with collar) – 102,5 cm
Receipt: from the clothing Department of the Ministry of Defense, 1953
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This uniform belonged to Emperor Alexander I.
According to new Guard regulations of December 29, 1802 uniform jackets became shorter, and cuffs of old cut, the so-called "Prussian" were replaced by "French", with inserted vertical flaps, fastened with three buttons.
The pattern, placement and color, distinctive embroidery of the Semenovsky Regiment, after some modifications in 1804, existed until 1917 without significant changes; the cut of the uniform was altered many times, sometimes slightly, sometimes considerably. In 1817 in Preobrazhensky, Semenovsky and Izmailovsky regiments were introduced uniform coats with red lapels and white edging. The same white edging rimmed the cuffs and tails.
There is a historical anecdote. Once upon a time at a parade one of the officers of the Suite noticed that Alexander Pavlovich didn’t fasten the lower buttons of the flaps and told him that he could be out of uniform. "The Emperor couldn’t!", replied Alexander, and from that moment on fashion to undo the bottom buttons on the cuffs among officers became very popular throughout the army. Over time, they even ceased to cut loops through on the flaps: the top “done” buttons were sewn directly on the flap, and the bottom – "undone" – on the cuffs under the flap. This peculiar style of cuffs remained on uniforms of Russian officers until the First World War.
Emperor Alexander I was wearing this uniform coat of General of Life-Guards Semenovsky Regiment at the ball, given in his honor in Vilna. At this ball he received the news that on June 12(24), 1812 Napoleon crossed the Neman River, and a 600,000 Grande Armée intruded Russian Empire.

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