M.G. Zaichenko
Russian arms in the Hermitage collection are represented by remarkable complexes of defensive weapons dating from the 15th-17th centuries, by fine articles produced by 17th century Armoury gunsmiths, by 18th-19th century weapons manufactured in Tula, by its collection of 19th century cold weaponry produced in the workshops of Zlatoust, as well as by weapons made by armourers from St Petersburg and other regions of Russia.
Amongst the 16th century monuments, of particular importance are a number of mails and plate armours, including so called yushmans and behterets; helmets hallmarked by Turkish masters alongside with inscriptions in Old Russian; sabres produced for Russian aristocracy by Oriental masters employing techniques particularly favoured in Russia.
Firearms produced by 17th century Armoury craftsmen are rare in the Hermitage collection. However, they are distinguished for a remarkable skill in the making of barrels and stocks, manufactured by different gunsmiths. Also dating from the 17th century is a group of knives with stone and horn –and-silver mounted hilts.
The collection of the Tula arms from the 18th-19th centuries contains works by such celebrated craftsmen as I. Salishchev, I. Makarishchev, I. Lyalin, M. Burdykin, members of the Golyakov family and I. Polina. The Tula gunmakers employed various technical devices for weaponry decoration ranging from their traditional gilding over a ground of punched designs to wood and steel inlaid with metal. Commissioned by dignitaries, the arms were distinguished for a particular attention to the matching of gun parts and perfection of decoration.
The Hermitage collection contains also some valuable imperial personal possessions, including gifts from Catherine the Great to her grandsons Alexander and Konstantin Pavlovich and a hunting set comprising three guns and two pistols.
The Zlatoust gun factory specialized in making cold steel weaponry. In 1824, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the victory over Napoleon, a series of ceremonial swords was made, which featured blueing, gilding and richly decorated hilts. The contemporary researchers of arms admire the delicacy and accuracy of workmanship as well as the craftsmen’s rich imagination. The Hermitage possesses objects bearing the signatures of I. Boyarshinov, I. Bushuev and E. Bushuev.
The Russian collection of the Hermitage Arsenal provides a vivid picture of the development of custom-made and industrially produced weaponry in Russia in the 15th-19th centuries.
