Russian history: Zlatoust blades dating to the war of 1812 on display in Yekaterinburg

Famous Zlatoust blades dating to the Patriotic War of 1812 became the highlight of the exhibition devoted to the 200th anniversary of the Russian victory over Napoleon, which opened in Yekaterinburg, September 12, 2012. According to the press service of the Lapidary and Jewelry History Museum of Yekaterinburg, the exposition also includes details of the soldiers’ uniforms of the time and household items in the Empire style - items related to the epoch "which gave Russia its most famous sons."

"By the end of the 18th century, Tula continued to maintain the leading position in gun production in Russia, but in 1811 arose an idea to create another gun center to assist Tula. The center would be in charge of the production of a particular kind of weapon. The choice of the Russian government fell on the Ural town of Zlatoust, because there an ironworks had been operating from the second half of the 17th century, on the basis of local ore deposits, according to the press service. Now, appreciating the art of Zlatoust, one usually notes a great decoration of swords, and the old gunsmiths are referred to as the unsurpassed masters of steel engraving...".

Another highlight of the exhibition was "military" chess with figures of soldiers and officers, as well as the Emperors, Alexander I and Napoleon Bonaparte.