Legendary Rifle designer Kalashnikov turns 87

10 Nov, 2006 08:02 / Updated 17 years ago

The designer of world famous AK-47 assault rifle has turned 87. The Soviet Government recognised Mikhail Kalashnikov's services to the country – twice honouring him as a Hero of Socialist Labour. He was also a Stalin Prize winner and a Lenin Pr

Over 100 million AK-47's have been produced and it’s considered to be one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century. Kalashnikov himself said that the sole purpose of his invention is not to harm, but to protect.