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{{Infobox Person
| name = Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov
| image = Mikhail_Kalashnikov.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| caption = Mikhail Kalashnikov in 1949
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1919|11|10}}
| birth_place = [[Kurya, Altai Krai|Kuriya]], [[Altai Krai]], [[USSR]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| occupation =
| spouse =
| parents =
| children =
}}
[[Lieutenant General]] '''Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov''' ({{lang-ru|Михаи́л Тимофе́евич Кала́шников}}, ''Mihail Timofeevič Kalašnikov'') (born [[November 10]], [[1919]]) is a famous [[Russia]]n [[small arms]] designer, most famous for his [[AK-47]], frequently called the ''Kalashnikov''.

==Early life==
Kalashnikov was conscripted into the Red Army in 1938, and became a tank driver-mechanic, achieving the rank of senior sergeant (tank commander) serving on the [[T-34]]s of the 24th Tank Regiment, 12th Tank Division<ref>p.27 Perechen No.6</ref> stationed in [[Stryi]]<ref>This was derived from the site [http://kalashnikov.name/index/0-15] that mentioned where the tank regiment Kalashnikov served with was located, and a mention of another veteran who served there [http://wwii-soldat.narod.ru/GALER/ARTICLES/m1.htm] МЕЛЮХИН Андрей Егорович</ref> before retreating, with the regiment after the failed [[Battle of Brody|counterattack at Brody]], and eventually being wounded in combat during the [[Battle of Bryansk|defence of Bryansk]] and released for six months recuperation due to illness. During this time Kalashnikov began designing a [[submachinegun]] while in hospital after being wounded in the [[Battle of Bryansk]].<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,288456,00.html AK-47 Inventor Doesn't Lose Sleep Over Havoc Wrought With His Invention</ref>
Although his first submachinegun design was not accepted to service, his talents as a designer were noticed. From 1942 onwards Kalashnikov was assigned to the Central Scientific-developmental Firing Range for Rifle Firearms of the Chief Artillery Directorate of [[RKKA]].
In 1944, he designed a gas-operated carbine for the new 7.62 x 39&nbsp;mm cartridge; this weapon, influenced by [[Garand]] self-loading rifle, lost out to new [[Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov|Simonov]] carbine which would be eventually adopted as [[SKS]]; but it became a basis for his entry in assault rifle competition in 1946. <ref>Bolotin, D.N, "Soviet Small-Arms and Ammunition", pp 69-70 and 115.</ref>
His winning entry, the "Mikhtim" became the prototype for the development of a family of prototype rifles.<ref>Kalashnikov, Mikhail, "How and Why I Produced My Submachine Gun", in ''Sputnik: A Digest of Soviet Press'', Novosti Press Agency, Moscow, June 1983, pp 70-75.</ref>

This process culminated in 1947, when he designed the [[AK-47]] ([[acronym]] for ''Avtomat Kalashnikova model 1947''). In 1949, the [[AK-47]] [[assault rifle]] became the [[Soviet Army]]'s standard issue rifle; after that, the design became Kalashnikov's most famous invention.

==Later career==
[[Image:Kalashnikov, Izhevsk.jpg|thumb|right|Monument to Kalashnikov in Izhevsk.]]

After WWII, as General Designer of small arms for the [[Soviet Army]], his design subordinates included the Germans [[Hugo Schmeisser]] and [[Werner Grüner]] (of [[MG 42]] fame) and a pioneer in [[sheet metal]] [[embossing]] technology in the 1950s.

Later in his career he developed a [[squad automatic weapon]] variant of the [[AK-47]], known as the [[RPK]] (''Ruchnoi pulemyot Kalashnikova'' - Kalashnikov light machine gun), and also the [[PK machine gun|PK]] (''Pulemyot Kalashnikova'' - Kalashnikov machine gun), which used the [[7.62×54R|full-power rifle cartridge]] of the [[Mosin-Nagant]] rifle. The [[cartridge (weaponry)|cartridge]] was belt-fed, not magazine-fed. These designs were adopted for their roles, while the AK-47 remained the Red Army's primary infantry weapon.

Since 1949, Mikhail Kalashnikov has lived and worked in [[Izhevsk]], [[Udmurtia]].
He told [[Reuters Television]], "I've always wanted to improve and expand on the good name of my weapon by doing good things."

The legacy of Kalashnikov's rifles as the most popular [[assault rifles]] has prompted him to state that<ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2002/jul/30/russia.kateconnolly Kate Connolly, Berlin bureau, The Guardian, Tuesday July 30, 2002</ref>
<blockquote>
"I'm proud of my [[invention]], but I'm sad that it is used by [[terrorist]]s," he said on a visit to Germany, adding: "I would prefer to have invented a machine that people could use and that would help [[farmer]]s with their work - for example a [[lawnmower]]."
</blockquote>
Mikhail Kalashnikov was twice named [[Hero of Socialist Labor]]. In 1998, he was awarded an [[Order of St. Andrew|Order of Saint Andrew the Protoclete]] (''orden Svyatogo Andreya Pervozvannogo''). He holds an advanced degree of Doctor of Technical Sciences.

Despite estimates of some 100 million AK-47 assault rifles circulating, General Kalashnikov claims he has not profited and that he only receives a [[state pension]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2772975.stm Coming soon - the Kalashnikov brolly?]</ref>
Merchandise named for General Kalashnikov, such as umbrellas and knives, are being produced by German company [[Marken Marketing International]] (MMI), based in Solingen.<ref>Kalashnikov lends his name to an umbrella", Kate Connolly, Berlin bureau, 17/02/2003, http://www.dailytelegraph.co.uk/</ref> One of the items is a knife named for the [[AK-74]].<ref>[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-71989519.html Care for a Kalashnikov Umbrella?, THE MOSCOW TIMES]</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite journal | last=Forge | first=John | title=No Consolation For Kalashnikov | journal=Philosophy Now | url=http://www.philosophynow.org/issue59/59forge.htm | accessdate=2007-01-24 | year=2007 | issue=59 | month=January/February}}
* Hodges, Michael. ''AK47: the Story of the People's Gun''. London: Sceptre, 2007 (hardcover, ISBN 0340921048).

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
*[http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,1059879,00.html 'I sleep soundly'] - Interview with and article on Mikhail Kalashnikov at the age of 83, from [[The Guardian]] newspaper.
*[http://kalashnikov.guns.ru/mk.html/ The Biography of the Main Gun Designer Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov]
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/5116124.stm Mikhail Kalashnikov backs weapons control]
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/5116772.stm?ls BBC NEWS Profile: Mikhail Kalashnikov]
*[http://kalashnikov-weapons-museum.ak47-guide.com/ Free illustrated virtual guided tour of the Museum of Mikhail Kalashnikov]
*[http://www.weaponplace.ru/kalashnikov.php The life of Mikhail Kalashnikov] {{ru icon}}
*[http://www.ak-47book.com On the AK-47's military and social effects on history]
*[http://suvenirograd.ru/geography.php?lang=2&id=122&filtr_g=122/ Homeland Kalashnikov in Altai ] (English)
*[http://www.vodkakalashnikov.com/home.htm Kalashnikov's Vodka]
*[http://www.amazon.com/Gun-that-Changed-World/dp/0745636926 Mikhail Kalashnikov with Elena Joly: The Gun that Changed the World]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kalashnikov, Mikhail}}
[[Category:1919 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Firearm designers]]
[[Category:Soviet engineers]]
[[Category:Russian inventors]]
[[Category:Russian engineers]]
[[Category:Weapons scientists and engineers]]
[[Category:Russian generals]]
[[Category:Heroes of Socialist Labor]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Red Banner of Labour]]
[[Category:Stalin Prize winners]]
[[Category:Izhevsk]]

[[ar:ميخائيل كلاشنكوف]]
[[ca:Mikhaïl Kalàixnikov]]
[[cs:Michail Kalašnikov]]
[[da:Mikhail Kalasjnikov]]
[[de:Michail Timofejewitsch Kalaschnikow]]
[[et:Mihhail Kalašnikov]]
[[es:Mijaíl Kaláshnikov]]
[[fa:میخائیل کلاشنیکف]]
[[fr:Mikhaïl Kalachnikov]]
[[ko:미하일 칼라시니코프]]
[[hi:मिखाइल कलाशनिकोव]]
[[hr:Mihail Kalašnjikov]]
[[id:Mikhail Kalashnikov]]
[[it:Michail Timofeevič Kalašnikov]]
[[he:מיכאיל קלשניקוב]]
[[ku:Michail Timofeevič Kalašnikov]]
[[hu:Mihail Tyimofejevics Kalasnyikov]]
[[ms:Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov]]
[[nl:Michail Kalasjnikov]]
[[ja:ミハイル・カラシニコフ]]
[[no:Mikhail Kalasjnikov]]
[[pl:Michaił Kałasznikow]]
[[pt:Mikhail Kalashnikov]]
[[ru:Калашников, Михаил Тимофеевич]]
[[sk:Michail Timofejevič Kalašnikov]]
[[sl:Mihail Timofejevič Kalašnikov]]
[[sr:Михаил Калашњиков]]
[[fi:Mihail Kalašnikov]]
[[sv:Michail Kalasjnikov]]
[[vi:Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov]]
[[tr:Mihail Kalaşnikov]]
[[war:Mikhail Kalashnikov]]
[[zh:米哈伊尔·季莫费耶维奇·卡拉什尼科夫]]

Revision as of 01:56, 19 October 2008

Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov
File:Mikhail Kalashnikov.jpg
Mikhail Kalashnikov in 1949
Born (1919-11-10) November 10, 1919 (age 104)
Kuriya, Altai Krai, USSR

Lieutenant General Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov (Russian: Михаи́л Тимофе́евич Кала́шников, Mihail Timofeevič Kalašnikov) (born November 10, 1919) is a famous Russian small arms designer, most famous for his AK-47, frequently called the Kalashnikov.

Early life

Kalashnikov was conscripted into the Red Army in 1938, and became a tank driver-mechanic, achieving the rank of senior sergeant (tank commander) serving on the T-34s of the 24th Tank Regiment, 12th Tank Division[1] stationed in Stryi[2] before retreating, with the regiment after the failed counterattack at Brody, and eventually being wounded in combat during the defence of Bryansk and released for six months recuperation due to illness. During this time Kalashnikov began designing a submachinegun while in hospital after being wounded in the Battle of Bryansk.[3] Although his first submachinegun design was not accepted to service, his talents as a designer were noticed. From 1942 onwards Kalashnikov was assigned to the Central Scientific-developmental Firing Range for Rifle Firearms of the Chief Artillery Directorate of RKKA. In 1944, he designed a gas-operated carbine for the new 7.62 x 39 mm cartridge; this weapon, influenced by Garand self-loading rifle, lost out to new Simonov carbine which would be eventually adopted as SKS; but it became a basis for his entry in assault rifle competition in 1946. [4] His winning entry, the "Mikhtim" became the prototype for the development of a family of prototype rifles.[5]

This process culminated in 1947, when he designed the AK-47 (acronym for Avtomat Kalashnikova model 1947). In 1949, the AK-47 assault rifle became the Soviet Army's standard issue rifle; after that, the design became Kalashnikov's most famous invention.

Later career

File:Kalashnikov, Izhevsk.jpg
Monument to Kalashnikov in Izhevsk.

After WWII, as General Designer of small arms for the Soviet Army, his design subordinates included the Germans Hugo Schmeisser and Werner Grüner (of MG 42 fame) and a pioneer in sheet metal embossing technology in the 1950s.

Later in his career he developed a squad automatic weapon variant of the AK-47, known as the RPK (Ruchnoi pulemyot Kalashnikova - Kalashnikov light machine gun), and also the PK (Pulemyot Kalashnikova - Kalashnikov machine gun), which used the full-power rifle cartridge of the Mosin-Nagant rifle. The cartridge was belt-fed, not magazine-fed. These designs were adopted for their roles, while the AK-47 remained the Red Army's primary infantry weapon.

Since 1949, Mikhail Kalashnikov has lived and worked in Izhevsk, Udmurtia.

He told Reuters Television, "I've always wanted to improve and expand on the good name of my weapon by doing good things."

The legacy of Kalashnikov's rifles as the most popular assault rifles has prompted him to state that[6]

"I'm proud of my invention, but I'm sad that it is used by terrorists," he said on a visit to Germany, adding: "I would prefer to have invented a machine that people could use and that would help farmers with their work - for example a lawnmower."

Mikhail Kalashnikov was twice named Hero of Socialist Labor. In 1998, he was awarded an Order of Saint Andrew the Protoclete (orden Svyatogo Andreya Pervozvannogo). He holds an advanced degree of Doctor of Technical Sciences.

Despite estimates of some 100 million AK-47 assault rifles circulating, General Kalashnikov claims he has not profited and that he only receives a state pension.[7] Merchandise named for General Kalashnikov, such as umbrellas and knives, are being produced by German company Marken Marketing International (MMI), based in Solingen.[8] One of the items is a knife named for the AK-74.[9]

References

  1. ^ p.27 Perechen No.6
  2. ^ This was derived from the site [1] that mentioned where the tank regiment Kalashnikov served with was located, and a mention of another veteran who served there [2] МЕЛЮХИН Андрей Егорович
  3. ^ http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,288456,00.html AK-47 Inventor Doesn't Lose Sleep Over Havoc Wrought With His Invention
  4. ^ Bolotin, D.N, "Soviet Small-Arms and Ammunition", pp 69-70 and 115.
  5. ^ Kalashnikov, Mikhail, "How and Why I Produced My Submachine Gun", in Sputnik: A Digest of Soviet Press, Novosti Press Agency, Moscow, June 1983, pp 70-75.
  6. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2002/jul/30/russia.kateconnolly Kate Connolly, Berlin bureau, The Guardian, Tuesday July 30, 2002
  7. ^ Coming soon - the Kalashnikov brolly?
  8. ^ Kalashnikov lends his name to an umbrella", Kate Connolly, Berlin bureau, 17/02/2003, http://www.dailytelegraph.co.uk/
  9. ^ Care for a Kalashnikov Umbrella?, THE MOSCOW TIMES

Further reading

  • Forge, John (2007). "No Consolation For Kalashnikov". Philosophy Now (59). Retrieved 2007-01-24. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  • Hodges, Michael. AK47: the Story of the People's Gun. London: Sceptre, 2007 (hardcover, ISBN 0340921048).

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to Mikhail Kalashnikov.
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