Kolchugino plant: products, photo

Kolchugino plant of cutlery is one of the few domestic enterprises that make spoons, forks, knives and other products made of nickel silver. Partially silvered and gilded products are in particular demand. Brand identity with wood grouse has become synonymous with quality, the products are highly valued among collectors.

Base

The chronicle of the unique production of nickel-silver products for Russia, including the deposition of silver, began in the XIX century. Merchant Kolchugin Alexander Grigorievich founded in 1871 in the Vladimir province copper smelting enterprise, on the basis of which workshops for the production of cutlery were created.

Before the revolution, the products under the brand name "Kolchugin's Partnership" enjoyed a well-deserved demand among wealthy Russians and abroad. Kolchuginsky factory repeatedly won awards of prestigious European exhibitions, fairs, competitions.

The Soviet stage

After the establishment of Soviet power, the enterprise was nationalized, but the output of the table silver was continued. Moreover, in order to meet the increased demand, production was increased. In 1922 the assortment was expanded: primuses and samovars pressed traditional products (cup holders, spoons, knives, forks, copper utensils). In 1948, new production sites for the silvering of products and the manufacture of nickel-plated kettles were built.

In the 60's, chrome-plated dishes gained popularity. Kolchugino plant was one of the first to launch the chrome plating department for consumer goods (TNP). In the late 70's, there was a need to build a new casing shop with a capacity of up to 2000 tons of tableware.

A new era

Perestroika and the subsequent collapse of the USSR did not lead to the collapse of production. Products made from nickel silver are still in demand. In 1997, the shop of consumer goods became an independent division. Since that time, the Kolchugin plant's dishes became more known under the brand name "Kolchug-Mizar". Today, the Kolchugino Melchior cutlery branch belongs to the parent company OOO UMMC-OCM and is part of ZAO Kolchugtsvetmet.

Production

Kolchugtsvetmet, being one of the leaders in the production of products from non-ferrous metals, constantly improves the technological process. The plant was the first to develop a technology for applying gold coating on stainless steel objects. Photo Kolchuginsky plant pleasing clean shops, improved territory and modern equipment.

The experience gained makes it possible to produce TNP from various alloys and metals. In particular, silver, stainless steel, brass, nickel silver, nickel silver. The application of coatings from precious metals (gold, silver), chromium, nickel on various substrates has been mastered. All products comply with Russian and international certificates.

Production of Kolchuginsky plant

The plant produces appliances of canteens, consumer goods and kitchen utensils. Glass holders KZSP known since the XIX century and mostly used (and applied) in trains. Types of coasters:

• Brass;
• Copper;
• Silver-plated with gilding;
• Nickel-plated with blackening;
• Nickel plated with gilding;
• Silvered.

Copper professional and household utensils of the Kolchuginsky enterprise are especially appreciated. It is used in prestigious restaurants, as it is evenly heated, keeps warm, does not interrupt the taste of dishes. The factory produces sausages, frying pans, pots, mugs.

Cookware "Kolchugin melchior" is considered the best, the best in Russia. More than 300 types of products with silvered, nickel-plated, chrome and gold-plated coatings are produced.

Noble metal

Cutlery using silver of 925-th test and nickel silver of MNC 15-20 grades, covered with additional gilding, amaze with unsurpassed aesthetic appearance. They are works of art embodied in metal. The thickness of the gold deposition is 0.5 μm.

KZSP also produces cutlery with a larger coating thickness:

• Products with a 9-micron layer of gold (napkin rings, ice buckets, stands);
• With 18-micron layer of gold (coasters, knives);
• With a 24-micron layer of gold (trays, soup tureen, tongs, forks, spoons, dishes).

Gift sets of cutlery with different types of sputtering (silver-plated and partially gold-plated): Morozko, Kapelka, Flame, Arb, Lira, Silver Rose , "Jasmine", "Festive", "Snowstorm", "No. 1", "Vizier". Some types of baby spoons have colorful enamel drawings.

Articles made of copper

Kolchugin craftsmen mastered the production of hourglass in an elegant copper case 15, 35 and 52 cm high. Made of bright (unshaded) copper, they are comparable in gold to noble brilliance. In a number of models, instead of sand, copper powder is used from deposits in the Urals. In brass models with nickel plated, ordinary sand is used. On request, the enterprise makes engraving of any level of complexity with a special laser installation.

An interesting product are bath accessories made of copper. This metal is resistant to corrosion, which is important in a damp and warm microclimate. Bath aesthetes can buy:

• Ladles with wooden handle for aromatherapy;
• Buckets for hot (0.5 L) and cold (0.7 L) water;
• Copper buckets;
• Bath-holders.

The attraction of nickel silver

With the fall of tsarism, the social system of society has changed. Goods that were affordable only to 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 products made of crystal, exquisite service and cutlery was considered a good form. Particularly valued kits from the nickel silver, which produced Kolchuginsky plant.

Melchior and nickel silver are a copper alloy (the main element) with nickel and zinc. This metal in appearance and a number of characteristics resembles silver. This explains its appeal. Additional gilding or silvering increases the value of products. After the war, with the growth of prosperity, the popularity of such products increased significantly. To ensure mass demand, the Kolchuginsky plant increased its production capacity. Until now, many households carefully store cutlery of the Soviet period.

Dream collectors

To know the product of the Kolchuginsky plant is easy by branding. It is a stylized image of the bird of the wood grouse with the letters "MNC" located to the right, meaning the composition of the alloy - copper, nickel, zinc.

The products of the KZPP, especially the pre-revolutionary and early Soviet periods, are a cherished dream of collectors. Especially valuable are the forks and spoons of the Kolchuginsky plant of the "Flame" series, as well as the highly artistic cups of Melchior.