Development of the Russian industrial base and technology for the production of artillery weapons in the 18th century

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to reveal the features of the creation and activity of the Russian military industry for the production of artillery weapons and ammunition in the 18th century. The article deals with issues related to the accelerated development of industry under Peter I, especially metallurgy, associated with the Great Northern War (1700-1721). Attention is drawn to the fact that due to the construction of a group of state-run private iron foundries and ironworks, four industrial districts were formed – Tula, Olonets, the Urals and St. Petersburg. These districts had for a long time been the main arsenals for the production of artillery weapons for the Russian army. The author focuses on the aspects of improving the quality of products produced by weapons factories in the 18th century. Scientific novelty consists in an interdisciplinary consideration of the issue involving the works of authors whose works were published in the pre-revolutionary, Soviet and modern periods and in the introduction of previously unpublished sources into scientific circulation. It is concluded that the development of the organisational structure of the Russian army caused an increase in the production of artillery weapons and ammunition and the creation of the necessary amount of stocks of these weapons to meet the current needs of the army and navy.