Degtyarev plant: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The Degtyarev plant (officially the Open Joint Stock Company "V.A.Degtyarev Plant", Russian: ОАО Завод имени В.А. Дегтярёва, commonly abbreviated as ЗиД (ZiD)) is one of the most important weapon-producing enterprises of Russia.

Founded in Kovrov in 1917, the machine-gun plant has been supplying the Armed Forces with weapons ever since. Such remarkable samples of weapon as the Degtyarev antitank rifle (PTRD), the Degtyarev infantry machine-gun (DP), the Shpagin machine pistol (PPSh) and the Goryunov heavy machine-gun (SG) were created at the plant.

Presently the Degtyarev plant is producing revolvers, machine-guns, guns for installation on aircraft, and also anti-aircraft and anti-tank guns and rocket systems.

The plant also makes a range of civil products: motorcycles (i.a. Voskhod), mopeds, micro-tractors, sewing machines and accumulator batteries.