Five centuries of arms-making in Russia. From the Moscow Kremlin Museums` collection

Helmet — «lozhchataya» cap
Russia, Moscow (?), the XVIth — early XVIIth centuries.
Iron; forging, engraving, milling, double riveting.
Belonged to Boyar Nikita Ivanovitch Romanov.

In the early XVIth century the type of a ring-and-plate armour called bakhterets became widespread in Russia. The exposed item is the only example of a headgear with bakhterets finishing preserved in the Armoury Chamber. Its name «lozhchataya cap» is derived from the longitudinal projections on its dome — «the spoons».
Powder-flask
Russia, Moscow, the Armoury Chamber, the XVIIth century.
Silver, cypress wood, gems, turquoise; carving, engraving, inlay, gilding
«Alam» badge of a gunner
Russia Moscow, the Armoury Chamber, the XVIIthcentury.
Iron; embossing
Plate
Russia, Moscow Silver Chamber, second half of the XVIIth century.
Silver, embossing, gilding, nilello, carving, chiselling.
Belonged to Boyar Bogdan Matveevich Khitrovo.
Sabre and scabbard
Russia, the city of Zlatoust, the Zlatoust Arms Factory, the XIXth century.
Steel, leather, wood; forging, gilding, etching, blueing, engraving
Double-edged axe
Russia, the city of Zlatoust, 2003.
Joint-Stock Company «Artistic Workshop «Praktika».
A gift to President V.V. Putin from the people of the Chelyabinsk Oblast.
Colt pistol with accessory implements
Belonged to Grand Prince Alexander Alexandrovich, the future Emperor Alexander III.
Russia, the Tula Arms Factory, 1856.
Iron, steel, wood, copper, fabric, leather; forging, engraving, blueing, carving, etching, gilding
Forehead ornament for a horse (reshma)
Russia, Moscow, the Moscow Kremlin Stables workshops, the XVIIth century.
Silver, iron; carving, embossing, gilding
Mace
Russia, Moscow, second half of the XVIIth century.
Silver, wood; embossing, carving, chiselling, niello, gilding.
Belonged to Boyar and Oruzhnichy (head of the Armoury Treasury) Bogdan Matveyevich Khitrovo.
Ambassadorial axes
Russia, Moscow, the Armoury Chamber, first half of the ХVIIth century.
Bulat steel, wood, silver, turquoise; forging, carving, damascening with gold, embossing, chiselling, gilding
Rifle (fragment)
Belonged to Empress Catherine II.
Russia, Saint-Petersburg, 1770s — 1780s.
Gunsmith G. Permyakov.
Iron, steel, silver, wood; forging, engraving, casting, damascening, gilding, carving
Cross of the Order of St. Anne I class with swords
Russia, Saint-Petersburg, 1850.
Gold; guilloche, punching, engraving, enamel
Yushman (type of plated chain mail)
Russia, Moscow (?), the XVIth — early XVIIth century.
Steel, iron, leather; smithery, damascening with silver and gold.
Belonged to Boyar Nikita Ivanovich Romanov.
Flintlock hand mortar
Russia, 1st quarter of the XVIIIth century.
Bronze, steel, iron, wood; casting, forging, engraving, carving
Table inkpot-pistol supplied with a candlestick, sections for ink and sand
Russia, Tula, 1768.
Steel, iron, forging, engraving, blueing
Saddle pistols bearing the monogram of Empress Elizabeth I
Russia, Tula, 1750.
Iron, steel, silver, wood, horn; forging, carving, chiselling, gilding, engraving

May, 29 – September, 21, 2014

Tula, Tula State Arms Museum

Organised by:: Tula State Arms Museum, The Moscow Kremlin Museums

Booklet The Moscow Kremlin Museums provide support to the Tula State Arms Museum in carrying out an exhibition project dedicated to the history of arms production in Russia. Over a hundred masterpieces of the XVIIth-XXIth centuries are on loan from the Kremlin most remarkable collection of Russian arms, armour and military equipment, those of the earliest items are dated to the early XVIIth century. Through presented pieces of ceremonial arms and hunting weapons, horse trappings, award and memorial weapons, insignia the exhibition traces the development of the art of making arms and armour in the Russian State throughout almost five centuries and reveals the highest level of craftsmanship of the Russian gunsmiths.

Close ties and centuries-old interactions between the city of Tula and the oldest Russian museum have been established since the XVIIth century when Tula became recognized as one of the leading centers of arms production. The Tula skilled armourers have been passing on their experience from generation to generation. Tula arms, distinguished by the beauty of form and refinement of ornamentation, always occupy an important place within the Kremlin Armoury exposition.