Order Of Leon.

[CtahhR]

Here is the Order Of Leon (Орден Леона) the second highest Order of Abkhazia.
Founded on 4th December 1992.

Awarded for;

Feats performed in a combat situation with an explicit risk to life, Outstanding leadership of the combat operations of military units and displaying special courage and bravery.
Special bravery in ensuring the national security of the Republic of Abkhazia, in conditions involving a risk to life.
Successful combat operations of military units, who have gained, despite the stubborn resistance of the enemy, a victory and inflicted a major defeat, or contributed to the success of the Abkhaz troops in the performance of large-scale military operations.

As of the latest figures released by the President's officer it has been awarded 3541 times with 531 being posthumous.

The Order was originally designed with the sword hilts at the top and blades pointing downwards but in 1995 the Awards Commission Under The President decided that the swords should be inverted ad the hilts moved to the bottom (as is more common worldwide). The two piece awards that had already been produced had the image of King Leon II rotated to comply with the new regulation. The two piece production was glued rather than held in place with a nut with the hilts at the bottom but the statue was changed again (2007 or later) to have the hilts at the top. Unfortunately the mounted king could not be inverted so the hilts can now be seen at the top or the bottom of the award.

There is no known ribbon bar for the Order. It was originally worn on the left but more recently has been moved to the right which leads to it being worn in many ways. Left, right, upside and down.

Due to statue changes there are a few Types of this award.

Type 1 Pobeda Factory, Russia, Two Piece Construction, Nut, Hard Enamel, Serial Number along a line by the sword tips. c50-100 produced.
Type 2 Pobeda Factory, Russia, Two Piece Construction, Hard Enamel, Serial Number close to hilts, no line, mint mark. c500-1,000 produced.
Type 3 Unknown Russian Factory, Two Piece Construction, Soft Enamel, Number close to hilts. c2,000 produced
Type 4 Unknown Russian Factory, Two Piece Construction, Soft Enamel, Number close to tips. c1,000 produced (current production)

There are also three different known screwplates. Originally a marked Pobeda Badge screwplate was used. Then an unmarked similar screwplate and more recently a contemporary large Russian Order style screwplate.

Here is Type 1 #012. King Leon II has been inverted and glued leaving him upside down. The original nut, though redundant remains.

I currently have a contact in the NKR attempting to obtain research on this award from the Abkhaz government. It will be interesting to see if there is any reply. It is absolutely guaranteed to be for a solid participation in the Patriotic War of 1992-1993 but whether it was awarded during it is still unknown.