13 November 1947: Mikhail Kalashnikov's AK-47 makes its debut

Russian Mikhail Kalashnikov's AK-47 assault rifle was first demonstrated to Soviet officials on this day in 1947.

The former Soviet Union's weaponry during World War II, especially its tanks, were reasonably advanced. But it struggled to produce a gun that was comparable to those used by German soldiers, especially the ground-breaking Sturmgewehr 44 (S44). The possibility that the Cold War could erupt into direct conflict at any moment meant that they needed to produce an effective design that could be mass-produced in huge numbers.

Enter Russian weapon designer Mikhail Kalashnikov, who came up with the idea of combining the look of the S44 with the American M1 rifle and incorporating features from other Soviet prototypes. The resulting AK-47 was first demonstrated to officials in November 1947.

Its combination of accuracy, reliability and firepower meant that it became the standard Red Army weapon by 1949. At the same time, its simple design meant that it was easy for even less developed countries to make in bulk. This meant that it became the weapon of choice for revolutionary movements around the world.

It has been estimated that there are currently up to 100 million AK-47s (and variants) around the world in circulation, around 20% of the total number of guns in the world. While the average global price of an AK-47 is $500, some can be picked up for less than $100.

Kalashnikov didn't get any royalties from his design, but he tried to cash in on the weapon's notoriety by investing in a company run by his grandson that sells Kalashnikov-branded merchandise, including vodka. The official manufacturer, Izhmash, would take advantage of Russia's IP laws to patent the design in 1997, though it has had little success in enforcing this.

Recommended

Who is the richest person in the world?
Entrepreneurs

Who is the richest person in the world?

Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates and Elon Musk are among the richest people in the world, but the top spot belongs to someone else.
7 Jun 2023
The building blocks for an income strategy: resilience, growth and diversification
Advertisement Feature

The building blocks for an income strategy: resilience, growth and diversification

Iain Pyle, Investment Manager, Shires Income plc
7 Jun 2023
Saving vs investing: which is better to help you make more money?
Personal finance

Saving vs investing: which is better to help you make more money?

Saving has become a more attractive option with interest rates hitting the highest levels seen in years, but if you’re prepared to take some risk inve…
7 Jun 2023
Look beyond familiar stockmarkets for reliable returns in rough times
Share tips

Look beyond familiar stockmarkets for reliable returns in rough times

A professional investor tells us where he’d put his money. This week: Giles Parkinson, managing director of global funds at Close Brothers Asset Manag…
7 Jun 2023

Most Popular

Best savings accounts – June 2023
Savings

Best savings accounts – June 2023

Interest rates have been creeping up - we look at the best savings accounts on the market right now.
6 Jun 2023
Nationwide to give £100 cash boost to customers
Personal finance

Nationwide to give £100 cash boost to customers

Nationwide Building Society is giving customers £100 as it reinvests profits. Dubbed the Nationwide Fairer Share scheme, we look at who is eligible.
22 May 2023
How much will it cost you to retire early?
Pensions

How much will it cost you to retire early?

The pre-state pension income gap means couples may need an extra £136,000 if they want to retire at 60 – can you afford to retire early?
6 Jun 2023