Mounted Escorts in the 18th century

The outdated formations of the 16^th–17th centuries did not meet the requirements of Peter the Great. In 1724, for the coronation of Peter the Great's wife Catherine I, a mounted company of drabants (The Chevalier Guard) was formed, consisting of 71 soldiers. Subsequently, it became a permanent unit that accompanied emperors and empresses as a mounted escort until the accession of Pavel I. Its name being changed (Chevalier Corps, Chevalier Squadrons) throughout the 18th century, this formation consisted only of nobles, who had especially magnificent uniforms and richly decorated weapons, samples of which are presented at the exhibition.

Under the reign of Catherine II, the Escort of irregular troops was created to celebrate the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca. It included a newly formed special Life-Hussar Squadron, as well as the Don and the Chuguev Cossack troupes. After the celebrations had concluded, the formations continued their service by the Empress in Tsarskoe Selo. They also took part in the Russo-Swedish War of 1788–1791. Under the reign of Pavel I, all these formations were included in the newly created the Life-Hussar & Cossack Regiment, which continued to perform escort functions. Eventually, the regiment was divided into two units and lost the escort function. The exhibition displays weapons, pieces of painting and drawings depicting the ranks of these formations.