Badge "1st State Ball Bearing Factory"

[deValcourt]

I got this badge and its box recently. All I know about it is the description "Moscow 1st State Instrument Factory." That's cool. The badge looks nice enough, but while I was waiting for it to arrive, I started thinking - "instrument"...hmmm. I assumed it was musical instruments they built, being a musician and all, but then I realized "instrument" could be translated from anything to do with tools, surgical equipemnt, etc. Plus the badge has no musical symbols on it.

So if anybody has a clue what this factory made and why they might have a badge they seem very proud of, please let me know. I don't remember this particular place when I lived there, but then I don't remember a lot of places in Moscow (even when I had been there):piva:nono Young and stupid.

Thanks in advance,
Phillip