Developed beginning in 1944 as part of a competition. Mikhail kalashnikov was a tank commander from soviet union at world war 2 and decided to design this assault rifle after the war wh. History of a weapon that changed and is changing the world. What sets this book aparthistorical insights and fact about the ak47 and its variants. The story of the peoples gun, he estimates there are approximately 100 200 million ak47s in circulation worldwide. Dec 03, 2010 the books discussion of the difficulties of penetrating layers of secrecy and soviet myth in deconstructing the historiography of the ak47 will be fascinating to many historians, less so to. In your book, you say that the ak 47 changed the face of modern warfare as much as the atomic bomb did. It has been in almost every call of duty game, its changed a lot in some cod games, here is a video to appreciate the ak47, perhaps the most common gun in cod. This model, dubbed the ak47 type 4 or akm, entered service in 1959 and became the definitive model of the weapon. Very well written with the basic history plus a lot of little tidbits of extra information. The ak47 is a russian assault rifle first used in 1949. The ak47 is the most numerous and widely distributed weapon in history, with a name and appearance that are instantly recognized.
Kalashnikov automatic rifle model 1946 was a prototype gasoperated assault rifle chambered in 7. The ak47 was created by the soviets after world war ii and changed the way war is fought. Larry kahaners book is the best history of this weapon that i have seen. Virtually every american veteran of vietnam and later conflicts knows the sovietdesigned ak 47 assault rifle. Sixty years ago the weapon that became a symbol of cold war guerrillas and current day insurgents made its debut in a most unlikely way. In 1959, a new version of the ak 47, the akm, was presented. Operational history initially used by the red army, the ak47 and its variants were exported widely to other warsaw pact nations during the cold war. It is the iconic symbol of revolution and rebellion. It was a modernized version of the ak47, and it was the model which was most widely exported. It and an updated version called the akm were used by the soviet unions military which was called the soviet army. The initials ak represent avtomat kalashnikova, russian for automatic kalashnikov, for its designer, mikhail timofeyevich kalashnikov, who designed the accepted version of the weapon in 1947.
Given the nature and history of the ak 47, the psak47 has many added upgrades already installed. Chivers traces the origins of modern assault riflesparticularly avtomat kalashnikov 47. Chiverss the gun about the history of the ak 47 and its relationship to the m16. The ak47, officially known as the avtomat kalashnikova russian. How did the ak47 become the most abundant weapon on earth. While this book is generally good, the author sometimes makes the mistake of thinking that the ak 47 is the most important weapon in the world, and unstoppable. Clearly, this number pales in comparison to the estimated 36 million mosin family bolt action rifles that preceded the sks45, and the estimated 75 million ak47 selectfire assault rifles that succeeded it. Jul 08, 2018 it should be noted that the ak 47 was the final prototype version of the gun, and the type 1 was designated simply ak in official soviet documentation. Other elements of the gun are perhaps unwittingly illuminating.
The story of how the ak 47 became the most important firearm of the twentieth. This model, dubbed the ak 47 type 4 or akm, entered service in 1959 and became the definitive model of the weapon. Mikhail kalashnikovs internationally recognized ak47 is an iconic symbol in gun culture around the globe, one with a universal adapter. This is a vintage 2011 dated soft cover military rifle history book entitled the ak 47 kalashnikov rifles and was written by gordon l. This is a vintage 2011 dated soft cover military rifle history book entitled the ak47 kalashnikov rifles and was written by gordon l. Is the ar15 the american equivalent of the famous ak47.
The father of the ak47 was soviet arms designer mikhail kalashnikov, and it is believed that since the rifle entered production in 1949 over 75 million examples of the original or its improved variants have been manufactured, more than any other firearm in history. It should be noted that the ak47 was the final prototype version of the gun, and the type 1 was designated simply ak in official soviet documentation. It was a modernized version of the ak 47, and it was the model which was most widely exported. The wonderful thing about alternate history is it challenges you to become more informed about the original history, which i have done as i read this slowmoving but ultimately satisfying civil war tale of the 19th century confederacy gaining access to 20th century weapons. It is in good used condition with minimal wear from use, aging, and storage. The m16, or its modern equivalent the m4 pictured above, are well engineered to deliver precision, reliable fire. Survival and evolution of the worlds most prolific. No shooter, collector or enthusiasts library is complete without the guide. It covers the origins of the design, its invention and distribution, and the consequences of the patterns spread around the world. The evolution of the ak47 in every call of duty youtube. The weapon that changed the face of war will appeal to anyone who has ever watched the history channelor the evening news. It has been in almost every call of duty game, its changed a lot in some cod games, here is a video to appreciate the ak 47, perhaps the most common gun in cod. The gun is a nonfiction book written by journalist c. The guns of the south is an alternate history novel set during the american civil war by harry turtledove.
The ak 47 was designed in 1947 by mikhail kalashnikov. The ak47 and its variants can be seen as a lot of thingsamoral massacre machines, popculture icons, the most plentiful and influential weaponry of. Apr 11, 2008 this sort of history can work very well, and it can also lead to an exaggerated view of the significance of the item in question. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books. The ak47 and its variants can be seen as a lot of thingsamoral massacre machines, popculture icons, the most plentiful and influential weaponry of the past half century. Given the nature and history of the ak47, the psak47 has many added upgrades already installed.
In a manner of speaking, they serve well as ideological representatives of the types of nations that use them. While mithil kamble almost described all, these are some more interesting facts one must know about this rifle 1. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. Oct 12, 2010 the ak 47 was created by the soviets after world war ii and changed the way war is fought. The ak 47 is a russian assault rifle first used in 1949. The kalashnikov ak47 is the most recognized gun in the world. There was a hint, i thought, or wished, of a russified jack. Chivers explains how the gun became the weapon of choice. Few, however, know anything about its designer or how the weapon came into being.
Monetchikov, in his book history of russian automatics, cites a production figure of 2. This is a solid winner in my book, but not as good as pricier models. Explain to me how the ak 47 did this as opposed to just guns or automatic weapons. Created in the soviet union at the start of the cold war, the automatic kalashnikov rifle, or ak47, as it was first called, was a breakthrough weapon. Vintage 2011 military rifle history the ak47 kalashnikov. His new book, the gun, traces the migration of the ak47 across the world, detailing the consequences of its spread. Dec 03, 2010 the books discussion of the difficulties of penetrating layers of secrecy and soviet myth in deconstructing the historiography of the ak47 will be fascinating to many historians, less so to casual enthusiasts.
In terms of the number of guns produced, duration of service, and worldwide deployment, it has no equal. Download book of ak47 and enjoy it on your iphone, ipad, and ipod touch. Chiverss the gun about the history of the ak47 and its relationship to the m16. The carefully packaged history of soviet times, a cheerful parable for the. Explain to me how the ak47 did this as opposed to just guns or automatic weapons. The guns of the south by harry turtledove goodreads. The story deals with a group of timetravelling white supremacist members of the afrikaner weerstandsbeweging awb from an imagined 21stcentury south africa, who attempt to supply robert e. Over 150 pages and more than 100 illustrations most of which have never been previously released, covering all aspects of this famous soviet bloc arm. With a history stretching back to the closing days of the second world war, the avtomat kalashnikova model 1947, or ak47 as it was to become known, transformed the modern day battlefield. Chivers takes readers on a fascinating ride from the introduction of the gatling gun during the civil war to the birth of the ak47 after world war ii to todays front lines. What are some interesting or unknown facts about ak47.
Kalashnikov gun magazine has published an interesting article telling the story of the development and evolution of sovietrussian ak bayonets. Ak47, also called kalashnikov model 1947, soviet assault rifle, possibly the most widely used shoulder weapon in the world. This sort of history can work very well, and it can also lead to an exaggerated view of the significance of the item in question. Chivers book, the gun, a meticulous history of the rifle and its impact. While this book is generally good, the author sometimes makes the mistake of thinking that the ak47 is the most important weapon in the world, and unstoppable. He basically published one of the chapters of his upcoming book dedicated to the development of the ak47 in the soviet union and russia. Explore through and see which you might want to buy first, or next. In 1959, a new version of the ak47, the akm, was presented.
As gordon rottman puts it in his brief but authoritative book the ak47. Sep 22, 1992 the wonderful thing about alternate history is it challenges you to become more informed about the original history, which i have done as i read this slowmoving but ultimately satisfying civil war tale of the 19th century confederacy gaining access to 20th century weapons. In 1974, the soviets began replacing their ak47 and akm rifles with a newer design, the ak74, which uses 5. Ar15 ak47 handgun precision rifles armory training competitive shooting general outdoors archery hometown industry about ar15. Operational history initially used by the red army, the ak 47 and its variants were exported widely to other warsaw pact nations during the cold war. Com is the worlds largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiats of all types. Mechanical details about the akm, ak47, rpk and other guns. Ak47 simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Its simple, yet robust, design has permitted the ak47 to perform effectively in practically any environment and in the hands of users with little to no training. How the ak47 rewrote the rules of modern warfare wired. The ak 47 is a truly timeless weapon that changed the world when it came out, and will no doubt continue to change the world for generations to come. When being transported, the ak47 was covered in a pouch.
Virtually every american veteran of vietnam and later conflicts knows the sovietdesigned ak47 assault rifle. It was released in the united states on september 22, 1992. Max boot, senior fellow, council on foreign relationsand author of the savage wars of peace anyone who has fought or watched a war. Military histories typically cover leaders, major wars. By any measure, the ak47 is the most successful assault rifle in human history. The kalashnikov ak47 is the most ubiquitous assault rifle in the world, with more ak47s and its variants in use than any other individual small arm.
We offer some links to books for sale where we can. The books discussion of the difficulties of penetrating layers of secrecy and soviet myth in deconstructing the historiography of the ak. Among the iraqi dictators most prized gifts were chrome plated ak47s. Mikhail timofeyevich kalashnikov soviet military designer. Chivers tells the story of how this humble rifle became fashionable. It was later replaced by the ak74 the ak47 was designed in 1947 by mikhail kalashnikov the ak47 quickly became famous and spread all around the world because it was simple to fire, clean and. Sixty years ago the world got its first look at an ak47. Throughout the world an individuals act of swearing alliance to a regime, an insurgency, a warlord, drug lord or. The books discussion of the difficulties of penetrating layers of secrecy and soviet myth in deconstructing the historiography of the ak47 will be fascinating to many historians, less so to casual enthusiasts. Its not just the story of the ak47 but also unparalleled military history. The ak47 did not result from an epiphany at the workbench of an intent. Evolution of the kalashnikov weapons edward clinton ezell on. Clearly, this number pales in comparison to the estimated 36 million mosin family bolt action rifles that preceded the sks45, and the estimated 75 million ak 47 selectfire assault rifles that succeeded it.
Jan 19, 2016 when being transported, the ak 47 was covered in a pouch. By any measure, the ak 47 is the most successful assault rifle in human history. History and evolution of sovietrussian ak bayonets the. Chivers about the ak 47 rifle and its variants, and the impact they have had on the world. Survival and evolution of the worlds most prolific gun is the definitive reference on the rifle. The 47 denotes the year 1947, when the trials started on the version of the rifle that was finally approved for adoption by the soviet armed forces soon after. The ak47, arguably the most widely used assault rifle in the world, first appeared in the hands of both communist troops and hungarian revolutionaries during the 1956 hungarian revolution. In your book, you say that the ak47 changed the face of modern warfare as much as the atomic bomb did. Oct 26, 2010 created in the soviet union at the start of the cold war, the automatic kalashnikov rifle, or ak47, as it was first called, was a breakthrough weapon a cheap, simple, and reliable device that. May 03, 2011 the kalashnikov ak 47 is the most ubiquitous assault rifle in the world, with more ak 47s and its variants in use than any other individual small arm.
Mikhail timofeyevich kalashnikov, russian weapons designer born nov. The ak47 has developed a reputation for simplicity and rugged reliability. Chivers about the ak47 rifle and its variants, and the impact they have had on the world. The soviets did not want anyone to know of its existence, and their plan held up until the hungarian revolt of 1956. Kalashnikov was born into a peasant family, and after being inducted into the. Created by senior sergeant mikhail kalashnikov, and first adopted by the ussr soon after world war ii, its production continues to this day, with an estimated 75 million produced worldwide.
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