Alexander II: What's he wearing? (medals and orders, not aftershave)

[filfoster]

OK, I can make out what looks like a Prussian PLM (!) at the neck and a St George at the beginning of the medal bar., and the ubiquitous St. Andrew the First Called breast star.  What else?

[Alex K]

A slightly bigger version, definitely a plm an oakleaves to start with

[filfoster]

...and a St George star beneath the St. Andrew.

The PLM seems odd to wear in a formal portrait photo, in lieu of a Russian order. I know Russia and Imperial Germany were buds at this time, (the 'Dreikaiserbund', which included Austria-Hungary), but even so...

Edited June 30, 2021 by filfoster

[filfoster]

but, what's on the ribbon bar after the St. George cross?

[Alex K]

I think the central (white) Cross looks like wurttemberg Friedrichs order, after that germanic or non Russian at least I'm assuming if precedence being observed

Edited July 3, 2021 by Alex K

[paul wood]

Second medal is the Crimea 1853-56

 

P

[Lukasz Gaszewski]

The medals are as follows:

 

1. Order of St. George 4th Class
2. Gold Medal for the Liberation of Peasants
3. Medal for the Crimean War
4. Medal for the Subjugation of Western Caucasus
5. Wuerttemberg Order of Military Merit 3rd Class
6. Hohenzollern Medal for 1848-49
7. Prussian Cross for 25 Years of Service for Officers
8. Austro-Hungarian War Medal
9. Austro-Hungarian Decoration for 25 Years of Service for Officers

 

BTW: the sash on Alexander's BW photo is not of the Order of St. Andrew (it should be worn over the right shoulder) but of another order, probably the Prussian Order of the Black Eagle. The number of decorations from German-speaking countries worn by the emperor is indeed remarkable.

[filfoster]

Paul, Lukasz, thank you very much! 

[filfoster]

OK, Any ideas what the third and fourth places breast stars/badges are?

 

And....Why did the Tsar of all the Russias wear the Prussian Pour le Merite neck order and the Black Eagle sash in preference to Imperial Russian orders?

[Alex K]

1 hour ago, filfoster said:

OK, Any ideas what the third and fourth places breast stars/badges are?

 

And....Why did the Tsar of all the Russias wear the Prussian Pour le Merite neck order and the Black Eagle sash in preference to Imperial Russian orders?

You've just beaten me to it! Particularly the cross indicated, any help appreciated 

[filfoster]

The bottom one I think is a cross for some Caucuses campaign.

[Alex K]

OK thanks for the pointer, I'll do some research

Regards

[Alex K]

23 hours ago, Alex K said:

OK thanks for the pointer, I'll do some research

Regards

Hi would this be likely cross he's wearing? 

Image credit: Romanov Russia.com

[filfoster]

Da!

[Alex K]

1 hour ago, filfoster said:

Da!

Spasiba ?