Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice Imperial Russian Military Academy Buckle, measuring 2 3/8"W x 2"H. These were worn by cadets at the academy, and the design is typical of buckles used in the 1870s-1880s. The front of the buckle bears the CROWN / A / II Imperial Cypher of Russian Tsar Alexander II, who reigned from 7 September 1856 until his Assassination March 13, 1881. Condition is very good, with some deformation to the rear clip.

Alexander II had been a great reformer during his reign, which unfortunately put him at odds with the revolutionary terrorist group Narodnaya Volya, which wanted to end the autocratic rule of the Emperor. They also opposed the reforms of Alexander II, as they weakened their position. After several failed attempts, the group managed to have three bombers ready for his weekly Sunday attendance of the military roll call at the Mikhailovsky Manège. The first bomber threw the bomb under the armored bulletproof carriage, and failed to injure the Tsar at all. However, this caused him to emerge from the carriage, after which he was successfully hit and fatally wounded. Carried to the Winter Palace, Tsar Alexander II passed at 3:30pm that day.