The Imperial Guard of Russia 1900-14 - After the disastrous war with Japan in 1904-5, Czar Nicholas II ordered sweeping reforms for the Russian Army. Among these, in an attempt to restore pride and confidence was a change in dress uniforms. This change reversed the draconian reforms of Alexander III in 1881 when simple peasant style uniforms were adopted and all cavalry became dragoons. Now the hussars, lancers and cuirassiers returned (the latter converted to dragoons) with distinctive and attractive uniforms. Not least of these affected the Imperial Guard where uniforms reached their apogee in terms of magnificence. Here, in schematic form is the work of V. Schenk who’s illustrations on the Russian Army depicted the entire armed forces. We depict those uniforms of the Imperial Guard in this volume and will address the rest of the army in another. - Uniformology Uniform Books