Honorary weapon

Honorary weapon (also known as "award weapon") is a personalized type of weapon that is an honorary award (or gift) for specially distinguished military personnel for their military exploits and merits. An award weapon can be a "cold weapon" or a firearm: a sword, a sabre, a broadsword, a saber, a dagger, a revolver, a pistol, a rifle, a hunting rifle, etc. Usually, on such a weapon, in addition to the appropriate inscription about the distinct merits in which the person might be attributed to (whether that is your name; a special design; or other culturally significant traits.) is the reason why an award weapon is often called a personalized weapon. The personalized details are on the weapon itself or on a metal plate (made of gold, silver, brass, or other metals) attached to the weapon, scabbard, or holster.

Categories

According to the categorization proposed by I. Ya. Abramzon, award and gift weapons can be divided into five groups, primarily depending on the reasons for presenting the weapon:

• Award weapons of the 17th and 18th centuries;
• Grant weapons of the 18th century;
• Award weapons with the inscription "For Bravery" of the 18th and 19th centuries;
• Prize weapons (cold and firearms) of the 19th century;
• Grant weapons (cold, firearms and defensive) of the 16th and 19th centuries.

V. A. Durov divides award weapons into two categories:

• Weapons given for military merit to officers and generals of the Russian regular army and navy;
• Weapons for servicemen of irregular troops.

See also

• Ceremonial weapon

References

The Art institute of Chicago - Example work of honorary weapon or ceremonial weapons