Obukhov Plant: from the history of the formation of domestic industry

In 1798, the Alexander State Manufactory was founded in St. Petersburg. In 1860 it was abolished, its territory and old buildings partially became part of a new enterprise – the Obukhov Steel and Cannon Factory. The collection includes archival files, general plans of the Alexander Manufactory, facades, sections, drawings, etc.

The plant was founded on May 4 (16), 1863 by the Partnership of P. Obukhov, G. Kudryavtsev and N. Putilov jointly with the Maritime Ministry. It was claimed as a steelmaking enterprise for the production of high-quality crucible steel according to the method developed by Obukhov. The collection presents the privilege granted to him in 1857 for the invented method of making steel. Since 1869, the plant has been named after a metallurgical scientist.

The creation of the Obukhov plant was caused by the urgent need to re-equip the army and navy with steel guns after Russia's defeat in the Crimean War. The desire to free the country from foreign dependence in the field of defense of the state was also important. In a short time, the plant became one of the leading enterprises in the field of metallurgical production: it produced 20 grades of steel, copper, cast iron, armor for ships, artillery turrets, guns of various calibers, shells, mines and other types of weapons.

In 1904, an optical and mechanical workshop started operating at the plant, marking the beginning of industrial optical production in Russia. Its creation was caused by the need to supply large long-range guns with sighting devices and was carried out on the undertaking of design engineer Ya. Perepelkin. He is shown on photos of the early twentieth century. Before the First World War, almost the entire Russian fleet and a significant part of the army were armed with guns produced at the Obukhov plant.

The documents tell us that there were a stone church of St. Nicholas, St. Paul's College, a school for the children of workers, houses for workers and even a railway at the factory. After the revolution of 1917, the enterprise was nationalized and renamed the Petrograd State Gun Optical and Steel Plant "Bolshevik". During the Patriotic War, the factory repaired military equipment, manufactured guns and ammunition. In 1992, the historical name was returned to it. Currently, it is one of the largest enterprises of the Russian defense industry.