Part of the collection consists of correspondence, manuscripts, notes, military diaries, maps and printed materials that pertain to World War I. Some materials deal with the Civil War, Polish history, medieval Russia and Lithuania, and the history of Russian education. Several folders contain military orders, "prikazy", dating from the early 1900s to about 1925. There are also genealogical materials concerning Russian nobility and Goshtovt's family. The maps primarily concern World War I and the Civil War; also included are a postal map of Russia in 1860, and a map of transportation routes in 1887. The printed materials include clippings, and bulletins published by various emigre military organizations. Most of the books in the collection pertain to the German army during World War I.

Correspondence, manuscripts, notes, photographs, and printed materials concerning the Leĭb-Gvardiĭ Izmaĭlovskiĭ Polk (the Izmaĭlov Regiment of the Imperial Guard), and of its emigre veterans' association, the Soi︠u︡z Izmaĭlovt︠s︡ev (Union of "Izmaĭlovt︠s︡y"). There are materials concerning the War of 1812, the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78, World War I, the Civil War, and the emigration. Most memoirs by veterans of the regiment cover World War I and the Civil War. There are biographical notes on members of the regiment from its formation in the 1700s into the 20th century, and also photographs and engravings. Printed materials include histories of the regiment, the oldest dating from 1830, and 14 bound volumes of the "Izmaĭlovskai︠a︡ Starina" (1930-40).