September 19 is Gunsmith's Day in Russia: history and traditions, how the holiday will be celebrated in 2025

In Russia, Gunsmith's Day is celebrated annually on September 19, a professional holiday for designers, engineers, masters of the military—industrial complex (MIC), as well as historians of the arms industry. This date has become a symbol of respect for people who create legendary weapons and preserve the rich traditions of Russian weapons art. In 2025, Gunsmith's Day falls on a Friday. Large-scale celebrations in Moscow, Tula, Izhevsk and other cities of weapons glory are timed to coincide with this date. Izvestia tells us how the celebrations will be held this year.

The history of the Gunsmith's Day in Russia

The initiator of the celebration was the legendary designer of small arms Mikhail Kalashnikov. He proposed to assign a special date to gunsmiths in order to emphasize the prestige of the profession and unite industry specialists. The idea was first suggested in 2010 during Kalashnikov's meeting with then-Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Izhevsk. Soon, the Union of Russian Gunsmiths supported the initiative.

The decree on the establishment of the Day of the Gunsmith was signed in 2011 by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. The date of the celebration was chosen on September 19, the memorial day of Archangel Michael, who has been revered since the 19th century as the patron saint of Izhevsk gunsmiths.

It is difficult to overestimate the significance of the holiday: the work of gunsmiths ensures the security of the state, strengthens the country's defense capability and preserves the prestige of Russian weapons at the global level.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, 3.8 million people are currently employed in the production of weapons, not counting civilian industries that actively help with raw materials, supplies and components. As the head of the department Anton Alikhanov noted at the plenary session of the Army-2024 forum, this is a record figure in the country's recent history.

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Traditions of the Gunsmith's Day

For the first time, Gunsmith's Day was celebrated in 2012. Since then, it has become an annual event and has become widespread in Russia. Despite the fact that there is no additional day off on the holiday, it is always celebrated on a large scale. The celebrations are most widespread in Izhevsk and Tula, the main arms capitals of the country, where celebrations last for several days.

Concerts, exhibitions and demonstrations of military equipment, as well as sports competitions are held in the cities. A special place is occupied by shooting competitions and workshops on assembly and disassembly of the AK-47. An Alley of Fame with busts of famous gunsmiths, including Peter the Great, the founder of the Tula Arms Factory, was opened in Tula on the first date of the holiday.

Gunsmiths on this day are honored guests who are honored at the regional and federal levels. It has become an important tradition to lay flowers at the memorials of famous weapons makers and hold meetings at enterprises where the best employees are awarded and veterans share their experiences.

Gunsmith's Day events in 2025

The celebration program in 2025 promises to be just as intense. Tula will host the Tula Armory Festival: from Master to Defender and the Zasechny Frontier orienteering Championship. From September 15 to 21, employees of defense industry enterprises will be able to visit museums and exhibitions for free, as well as lectures at the historical and landscape museum-Reserve.

The All-Russian campaign "Great Gunsmiths of Udmurtia", the Kalashnikov quest and the unique Voice of Factories contest are planned in Udmurtia. Zavodovision - 2025", where employees of the largest factories in the region will present musical performances. The work of the contestants will be evaluated by a professional jury and the audience via SMS voting.

The international forum "Made in Udmurtia — 2025", the exhibition "City of Gunsmiths" and the action "Weapons Dictation", which will cover the history of the arms industry in Russia and the city of Izhevsk, where Mikhail Kalashnikov lived and worked, are also timed to coincide with the holiday.

In Moscow, the Victory Museum will host screenings of the documentary "Strike Force. Kalashnikov", a master class on machine gun assembly and an exhibition of trophy exhibits. Activists will open a mobile exhibition of artifacts of the Great Patriotic War and modern finds. Guests of the program will also be introduced to the post-war model of the famous Kalashnikov assault rifle, which has rightfully become the hallmark of the country's armed forces.

How to congratulate on Gunsmith's Day on September 19th

Congratulations on the Day of the Gunsmith are traditionally addressed to engineers, designers, factory masters, as well as to everyone involved in the development and production of weapons. On this day, they emphasize their contribution to the defense of the country and thank them for their work that ensures the safety of citizens.

Memorable souvenirs with the symbols of the arms industry, books about the history of Russian weapons or personal letters of thanks will be a good gift for the holiday. Collective congratulations can be prepared for employees of enterprises, emphasizing the importance of their profession. Here are some examples of congratulations:

"Happy holidays to you, dear gunsmiths! Today we celebrate not only achievements in the field of weapons development and production, but, above all, your work, which requires high qualifications, responsibility and dedication. Making weapons is not just a job, but an art that requires precision and attention to detail. Thank you for your perseverance, talent and professionalism, which make a significant contribution to the defense of our country, ensuring the reliability and effectiveness of the armed forces. We wish you good health, new professional successes and victories!"

"Dear employees of the military-industrial complex! We sincerely congratulate you on the Day of the Gunsmith! This holiday symbolizes your professionalism, dedication and commitment to excellence. Your work ensures the security of our Homeland, strengthens its defense capability and increases the prestige of Russian weapons. Thanks to your skill and talent, our country holds a leading position in the development and production of advanced weapons. May your work bring satisfaction, and may each new project become a successful contribution to the future!"

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"Dear friends! Today we celebrate the Day of the Gunsmith, a young holiday with a long history. On this day, we pay tribute to all the craftsmen, engineers and workers who create real masterpieces of weapons art with their own hands. You are keepers of traditions, creators of new technologies and defenders of our country! May every day be filled with pride in your profession, and may your work bring joy and satisfaction!"

"Congratulations on your professional holiday — Gunsmith's Day, which unites all those whose profession is related to the creation of weapons and military equipment that serve to protect our Homeland. It is thanks to your hard work that we can be proud of the power of Russian weapons, which guarantees the security of the state and the peace of mind of our citizens. May your professionalism always be in demand, your ideas inspire, and your successes multiply with new achievements!"

"Happy Gunsmith's Day to all those whose profession is related to the creation and development of weapons. You are doing a great thing for the protection and security of our vast country. After all, without you, there would be no army, no law enforcement agencies that stand guard over order. Not to mention that the hunters value you as much as anyone else. We congratulate you and wish you good health, new projects, reliable support and success in everything!"

Earlier, Russia celebrated Tanker's Day. Izvestia reported on the history and traditions of this holiday.