The collection consists of correspondence, manuscripts, personal documents, subject files and printed materials. Almost half the correspondence is from Varvara (Vali︠a︡) Shakhovskai︠a︡, his wife, from whom he was divorced in 1932 but whose friendship he enjoyed until his death in 1961. A large portion of the manuscripts is in the form of a diary which, for the years 1919-1920, relates the activities of the Cuirassiers during the Civil War. The subject files deal exclusively with the Cuirassier Regiment and its veterans' organization in emigration. They include minutes, official mailings, regiment songs and poems and copies of the regiment publication, "Vestnik," for the period 1928-1931.

The bulk of the collection concerns the last three decades of the Regiment's existence and the emigration. Cataloged items consist of 3 photographs of Tsar Nicholas II and a receipt signed by one Captain Lanta, dated 1720. The correspondence is almost all after 1917. The manuscripts include a history of the Regiment from its formation and some other historical pieces by Viktor I. Meshchaninov. Most of the other manuscripts -- chiefly officers' memoirs -- concern the period of WWI, the Revolution, and the Civil War. Of other materials relating to the Imperial epoch, mention may be made of the lists of members of the Regiment since its formation compiled by some regimental historian; biographical sketches of many officers; field orders, topographical maps, certificates awarding medals, etc. The Association of former officers generated much material: accounts, minutes, souvenirs of commemorative dinners, etc. A rich store of photographs forms part of the collection. These include both individual and group portraits of members of the Regiment and of the Imperial family. Especially fine photos of the last 2 tsars, their families, and various urban landscapes are found in the album "Photographies du comte Nostitz.".