Got to visit the kalashnikov Museum in (Izhevsk) Russia.....

a few more....

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This lady had worked in the factory for 32 years (in the building above)and she gave me tour in the city of where all the factory building were.
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damn you , now, i got to make that trip myself . :D

great pic of the AKs. btw, do you know which museum has the SKS?
 
Thank you for the wonderful pics! this has made my bucket list.
My kingdom for half the rifles there.
I'd be interested in seeing how that "waffle iron" actually works.
 
I remember seeing grainy B&W pics of AK prototypes in various stages of development so those prototypes may still be out there.

I'm guessing either in other museums in Moscow, or still locked away in some Russian state museum's armory (if there's a country that never throws out anything, it has to be Russia).

As far a Schmeisser's involvement, it's pretty clear that he had some input, the question is how much. All the AK is, really, is the best features of various known (and some not so well known) WW2 firearms rolled up into one "super gun", and it worked.

In reality I can't think of anything within the AK's design or guts that hadn't been sucessfully fielded in another firearm. The MP44's 30 round "banana" mag, along with it's stock and pistol grip, the rotating bolt (common in one form or another by then), the SKS's gas system slightly improved, free floating firing pin (common), hammer-type firing mechanism/trigger assembly(common), improved SKS recoil spring assembly etc....

Still one of those "to visit before I die" places, although the day-long train ride (both in and out) would no-doubt discourage a few people from making the pilgrimage.

de-mix said:
Excellent trip, glad you took the time to share.

I secretly credit Schmeisser.
Did Mikhail just sit down one day and make this one and only firearm.
That prototype looks almost too complete... Minus how strange they have tried to make it appear.

Shmeisser has tons and tons of oddball guns and experiments. From his days as an advancing weapons designer.
You would think that a gun makers museum would highlight Mikhail's other examples.

Based on his "original table and tools" you would imagine the first (which I didn't notice)
Would be one scrappy looking piece of hardware, with rough wooden handles of differing proportions to the ones of today.
Not beautiful stained wood and injection molded plastic

Conspiracy!
Also people spoke of how Extremely modest Schmeisser was of the details of his involvement, almost to the point where it seemed like if he did speak his life would end.
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The train ride is part of the fun. You will be amazed in the amount of trees. For 15 hours you will be in a forrest..........
 
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