I cannot tell precisely where the first germ of the Legend concerning
the Steel Flea had its birth--that is to say, whether it originated in
Tula, the Izhma, or Sestroryetzk; but, evidently, it came from one of
these places.
In any case, the tale of the Steel Flea is a legend which distinctly
belongs to the Armorers' Guild and expresses the pride of Russian
gunsmiths. It depicts a contest between our workmen and English
workmen, from which our artisans emerged the victors, having utterly
routed and humiliated the Englishmen.
Herein, also, is explained a certain secret cause of military disasters
in the Crimea.
I jotted down this Legend in Sestroryetzk from the lips of an aged
gunsmith, an emigrant from Tula, who had removed to the Sestra River
during the reign of Alexander the First. The narrator was still hale
and hearty two years ago, and of sound memory; he was fond of recalling
the days of yore, cherished great respect for the Emperor Nikolai
Pavlovitch, lived "according to the ancient faith," read devout books,
and bred canary-birds. People treated him with much consideration.[1]