Mikhail Kalashnikov

Date of Birth: November 10, 1919

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: December 23, 2013

Biography

Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov was a Soviet and Russian Lieutenant-General, military engineer, and renowned small arms designer. Born into a peasant family, Kalashnikov rose to fame with the invention of the AK-47 assault rifle, which became one of the most widely used and influential firearms in the world. Kalashnikov was born on November 10, 1919, in Kurya, Altai Governorate, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. Despite facing numerous hardships in his early life, including the collectivization of agriculture that affected his family, he showed an early aptitude for mechanics and engineering. His passion for weaponry was ignited during his service as a tank commander in the Soviet Army during World War II, where he was wounded in combat. During his recovery, Kalashnikov began developing designs for small arms, leading to the creation of the AK-47 in 1947. The rifle’s durability, simplicity, and ease of use under harsh conditions made it a staple for military forces worldwide. Kalashnikov continued to work on various firearm designs throughout his career, contributing significantly to Soviet and Russian military technology. Kalashnikov received numerous honors throughout his life, including the Hero of Socialist Labor, the Order of Lenin, and the Stalin Prize. He passed away on December 23, 2013, in Izhevsk, Russia, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential firearms designers in history.

5 Interesting Facts about Mikhail Kalashnikov

1. Mikhail Kalashnikov was inspired to design the AK-47 after seeing the Soviet Army’s need for a reliable automatic rifle during World War II.

2. The AK-47 has been produced in over 100 million units, making it the most widely manufactured firearm in history.

3. Despite his invention’s global impact, Kalashnikov never personally profited from the AK-47 design, as it was developed under the auspices of the Soviet state.

4. Kalashnikov wrote several books, including an autobiography detailing his experiences and the development of his famous rifle.

5. He continued to work as a chief designer at Izhmash, the company that produced the AK-47, until his late 80s.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Mikhail Kalashnikov

1. “I created a weapon to defend the motherland. It is not my fault that it was sometimes used where it shouldn’t have been.”

2. “I’m proud of my invention, but I’m sad that it is used by terrorists.”

3. “Blame the Nazi Germans for making me become a gun designer. I always wanted to construct agricultural machinery.”

4. “I sleep soundly knowing that I was just fulfilling my duty to my country.”

5. “Life can make you do many things, even if you don’t want to do them.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Mikhail Kalashnikov did not achieve significant personal wealth from his invention. At the time of his death, his net worth was relatively modest, as he did not receive royalties for the AK-47.

Children

Mikhail Kalashnikov had three children: Viktor, Yelena, and Natalya. Viktor Kalashnikov, born in 1942, followed in his father’s footsteps and also became a prominent firearms designer.