საქართველოში ცეცხლსასროლი იარაღის გავრცელების, დამზადებისა და ფასების საკითხისათვის

Abstract

In the 17th century the production of firearms started in Georgia, but among the population it had been spread much earlier as imported product or was obtained through the looting in the warfare. According to the historical sources, the small part of the Georgian army had guns and pistols already in the end of the 16th century. The portion of the guns increased in the 17th century. In accordance with the census, davtar of Saamilakhvro district, in the end of 17th century 40% of the whole population was equipped with firearms. But in the 18th century more than 80% of the population was armed with firelock guns, which is confirmed by the census davtars and by the foreign and the Georgian sources as well. The massive distribution of the guns and the pistols was caused by the development of the local industry. The places for the manufacture of the guns were as following: Tbilisi, Samegrelo region, Svaneti region, Machakhela gorge etc. Probably by the end of the 17th century firelock guns were produced in Georgia. The artisans of Tbilisi played the most important role in spread of firearms in Georgia. The firelock gun consists of three main details, these are: gun barrel, lock and stock. The mezarnishes (jeweller, who adorns things with precious metal) were adorning expensive firearms with gold, silver and other precious material. The barrels were imported, which was mainly brought from the Crimea. According to the historical sources, the artisans of a lock, stock and generally, of the firearm are attested in Tbilisi and also in the provinces. According to the 18th century data, the price for the expensive guns was 8-10 tumans, which was equal to approx. 4-6 tons of wheat, or equivalent to 20- 25 cows’ price. But the gun that was used by the lower class members could have been obtained for the price of one cow, which is equal to 200-300 kilograms of wheat.