Kolchuginsky cutlery plant is one of the few domestic enterprises that manufacture spoons, forks, knives and other products from cupronickel. Partially silver-plated and gold-plated products are in special demand. The brand name with capercaillie has become synonymous with quality; products are highly regarded among collectors.
Base
The chronicle of unique for Russia production of nickel silver products, including silver, began in the 19th century. Merchant Kolchugin Alexander Grigoryevich founded a copper smelter in the Vladimir province in 1871, on the basis of which workshops for the production of cutlery were created.
Before the revolution, products under the Kolchugin Partnership brand name were in high demand among wealthy Russians and abroad. Kolchuginsky Plant has repeatedly won awards at prestigious European exhibitions, fairs, and contests.
Soviet stage
After the establishment of Soviet power, the enterprise was nationalized, but the production of table cupronickel continued. Moreover, to ensure increased demand, production was increased. In 1922, the assortment was expanded: primuses and samovars replaced traditional products (cup holders, spoons, knives, forks, copper dishes). In 1948, new production sites for silvering products and the manufacture of nickel-plated dummies were built.
In the 60s, chrome cookware became popular. The Kolchuginsky plant was one of the first to launch a chromium plating department for consumer goods. In the late 70s, there was a need for the construction of a new building for the cookware workshop with a capacity of up to 2000 tons of tableware.
New era
Perestroika and the subsequent collapse of the USSR did not lead to a collapse of production. Products from cupronickel are still in demand. In 1997, the TNP workshop became an independent division. Since that time, the dishes of the Kolchuginsky factory became better known under the brand name “Kolchug-Mitsar”. Today, the Kolchuginsky Cupronickel cutlery branch belongs to the parent company UGMK-OTSM LLC and is part of Kolchugtsvetmet CJSC.
Production
Kolchugtsvetmet, being one of the leaders in the production of non-ferrous metal products , is constantly improving the technological process. The plant was the first to develop a technology for applying gold plating on stainless steel items. Photos of the Kolchuginsky factory are pleased with clean workshops, ennobled territory and modern equipment.
The accumulated experience allows us to produce consumer goods from various alloys and metals. In particular, silver, stainless steel, brass, nickel silver, nickel silver. Mastering the coating of noble metals (gold, silver), chromium, nickel on various substrates. All products comply with Russian and international certificates.
Products of the Kolchuginsky Plant
The plant produces cutlery, consumer goods and kitchen utensils. Coasters KZZP known since the XIX century and for the most part were used (and are used) in trains. Types of Cupholders:
- brass;
- copper;
- silver plated with gilding;
- nickel-plated with blackening;
- nickel-plated with gilding;
- silver plated.
Copper professional and household utensils of the Kolchuginsky enterprise are especially appreciated. It is used in prestigious restaurants, as it heats evenly, keeps warm, does not interrupt the taste of dishes. The plant produces stew-pans, pans, pots, and mugs.
Kitchen utensils "Kolchuginsky cupronickel" is considered the reference, the best in Russia. Over 300 types of products are available with silver, nickel, chrome and gold plated.
Noble metal
Cutlery using silver of 925-th test and nickel silver of marks 15-20, additionally coated with gilding, amaze with an unsurpassed aesthetic appearance. These are works of art embodied in metal. The thickness of the gold deposition is 0.5 microns.
KZSP also produces cutlery with a larger coating thickness:
- products with a 9-micron layer of gold (napkin rings, ice buckets, coasters);
- with an 18-micron layer of gold (cup holders, knives);
- with a 24 micron layer of gold (trays, tureens, tongs, forks, spoons, dishes).
Gift cutlery sets with various types of spraying (silver and partially gilded): “Frost”, “Droplet”, “Flame”, “Coat of arms”, “Lira”, “Silver rose” (including fully gilded), “Anniversary” , "Jasmine", "Festive", "Snowstorm", "No. 1", "Vizier". Some types of baby spoons have colorful enameled designs.
Copper Products
Kolchugin craftsmen mastered the production of hourglasses in an elegant copper case with a height of 15, 35 and 52 cm. Made of bright (non-tinted) copper, they are comparable to gold in noble luster. In some models, instead of sand, copper powder from deposits of the Urals is used. Nickel-plated brass models use regular sand. By order, the enterprise makes engraving of any level of complexity with a special laser system.
An interesting product is bath accessories made of copper. This metal is resistant to corrosion, which is important in a wet and warm microclimate. Bath aesthetes can be purchased:
- ladles with a wooden handle for aromatherapy;
- buckets for hot (0.5 l) and cold (0.7 l) water;
- copper buckets;
- bath coasters.
Cupronickel Attraction
With the fall of tsarism, the social system of society changed. Goods that were affordable only for members of the privileged class became available to every citizen. Most families sought to decorate their life with decorative elements. The presence in the house of crystal products, exquisite service and cutlery was considered a good form. The sets made of nickel silver, which were produced by the Kolchuginsky Plant, were especially appreciated.
Cupronickel and nickel silver are an alloy of copper (the main element) with nickel and zinc. This metal in appearance and a number of characteristics resembles silver. This explains its attractiveness. Additional gilding or silvering increases the value of products. After the war, with the growth of wealth, the popularity of such products increased significantly. To ensure mass demand, the Kolchuginsky plant increased its production capacity. Until now, many families have carefully kept cutlery from the Soviet period.
Collectors dream
It is easy to recognize the product of the Kolchuginsky plant by the brand name. It is a stylized image of a capercaillie bird with the letters “MSC” located to the right, meaning the composition of the alloy - copper, nickel, zinc.
The products of KZSP, primarily of the pre-revolutionary and early Soviet periods, are the longed-for dream of collectors. The forks and spoons of the Kolchuginsky plant of the Flame series are especially valuable, as well as highly artistic cupronickel cup holders.