The collection consists primarily of manuscripts by Bragin, including his memoirs, which describe his military service during the Boxer Rebellion, the Russo-Japanese War, World War I, the 1917 Revolution and the Civil War. The documents and subject file relate to his service as head of the White military mission to Iran in 1920. Printed materials are largely clippings from and copies of emigre periodicals, with articles by Bragin.

The manuscripts, all of which are by Smolin, include his memoirs"Davnominuvshee--Vospominanii︠a︡ starogo ofit︠s︡era." These memoirs describe Smolin's childhood in I︠A︡kut︠s︡k, his military training, and his service in the Finli︠a︡ndskiĭ Polk, the Russo-Japanese War, the 1905 Revolution and World War I. The other, more minor manuscripts primarily deal with military themes. The printed materials consist of two articles by Smolin that appeared in the emigre press.