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Later Career and AK-74 Development (1960s-1970s)Later Career and AK-74 Development (1960s-1970s)Kalashnikov's Views on the AK-47's UseKalashnikov's Views on the AK-47's UseKalashnikov Concern and LegacyKalashnikov Concern and LegacyEarly Life and Family (1919-1941)Early Life and Family (1919-1941)Main milestonesMain milestonesAwards and RecognitionAwards and RecognitionMilitary Service and Early Inventions (1941-1947)Military Service and Early Inventions (1941-1947)Personal Life and RelationshipsPersonal Life and RelationshipsDevelopment and Refinement of the AK-47 (1947-1959)Development and Refinement of the AK-47 (1947-1959)Technological Aspects of the AK-47 DesignTechnological Aspects of the AK-47 DesignThe AK-47's Global ImpactThe AK-47's Global Impact
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Mikhail Kalashnikov - Soviet and Russian small arms designer (1919-2013)

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03.04.25
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Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov, born November 10, 1919, and passing on December 23, 2013, was a Soviet and Russian lieutenant general, inventor, military engineer, writer, and small arms designer. He is most famous for developing the AK-47 assault rifle and its numerous variants. His life was marked by a combination of engineering ingenuity, wartime experience, and the complexities of the Soviet system, resulting in the creation of one of the most widely used firearms in history.
Main Milestones
Birth in Kurya, Altai Governorate
November 10, 1919
Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov was born in the village of Kurya, Altai Governorate (now Altai Krai, Russia), as the eighth child in a peasant family. His early life was marked by hardship and a close connection to rural life, influencing his later designs which prioritized simplicity and reliability in challenging conditions.
Family Deportation as Kulaks
1930
Kalashnikov's family was labeled as 'kulaks' (wealthy peasants) and forcibly deported to Siberia as part of Stalin's collectivization policies. This traumatic experience deeply affected him and instilled a sense of resilience. The hardships faced during this period are said to have fueled his determination to improve the lives of ordinary soldiers through innovative weaponry.
Volunteering for Military Service
1938
Despite the earlier hardships of his family, Kalashnikov demonstrated a sense of duty by voluntarily enlisting in the Red Army in 1938. He served as a tank mechanic, where his technical aptitude became evident. His experiences with unreliable Soviet tanks during this period spurred his interest in developing better military equipment.
Wounded in the Battle of Bryansk
October 1941
During the Battle of Bryansk in October 1941, Kalashnikov was severely wounded. While recuperating in the hospital, he overheard fellow soldiers complaining about the poor quality of Soviet rifles compared to German weapons. This motivated him to begin designing his own submachine gun, marking the start of his career as a firearms designer.
Development of the AK-47
1947
After several prototypes and design improvements, Kalashnikov's design was accepted for mass production in 1947. The 'Avtomat Kalashnikova 1947' (AK-47) became the standard issue assault rifle for the Soviet Army. The AK-47's robust design, ease of use, and reliability in adverse conditions quickly made it a global symbol of military power and insurgency.
AK-47 Enters Soviet Service
1949
The AK-47 was officially adopted by the Soviet Army. Its simple construction, ease of maintenance, and reliable operation in extreme conditions made it ideal for the diverse environments encountered by the Soviet military. The weapon quickly became a cornerstone of Soviet military doctrine and was widely exported to Soviet-aligned nations.
Continued Development and Refinement
1949 - 1990
Throughout the Cold War, Kalashnikov continued to refine and improve his designs. He oversaw the development of numerous variants of the AK-47, including the AKM (modernized AK-47) and the RPK (light machine gun). He remained a prominent figure in Soviet military engineering, receiving numerous state awards and accolades.
Later Life and Legacy
1990 - 2013
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kalashnikov remained a respected figure in Russia. Despite the AK-47's widespread use in conflicts around the world, he maintained that he created the weapon for defense and not aggression. He expressed sorrow over its misuse but also took pride in its effectiveness as a defensive tool. He continued to be involved in firearm design and consulted with Izhmash (now Kalashnikov Concern) until his death.
Death in Izhevsk
December 23, 2013
Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov passed away on December 23, 2013, in Izhevsk, Russia, at the age of 94. His legacy lives on through the enduring popularity and widespread use of the AK-47, a weapon that has shaped warfare and global politics for over half a century. His impact on military history and firearm design is undeniable.

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Awards and RecognitionAwards and RecognitionDevelopment and Refinement of the AK-47 (1947-1959)Development and Refinement of the AK-47 (1947-1959)Early Life and Family (1919-1941)Early Life and Family (1919-1941)Kalashnikov Concern and LegacyKalashnikov Concern and LegacyKalashnikov's Views on the AK-47's UseKalashnikov's Views on the AK-47's UseLater Career and AK-74 Development (1960s-1970s)Later Career and AK-74 Development (1960s-1970s)Military Service and Early Inventions (1941-1947)Military Service and Early Inventions (1941-1947)Personal Life and RelationshipsPersonal Life and RelationshipsTechnological Aspects of the AK-47 DesignTechnological Aspects of the AK-47 DesignThe AK-47's Global ImpactThe AK-47's Global Impact
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