AK-47: Russian Pride or German Masterpiece?

[WarHeRo]

Here's a quick breakdown: Mikhail Kalashnikov, the so-called 'father' of the AK-47, wasn't the sole brain behind this firearm. Enter Hugo Schmeisser, the German legend behind the world's first assault rifle. There's a twisty tale of Kalashnikov and Schmeisser working together, with Schmeisser's contribution being suspiciously hush-hush (all thanks to classified Soviet documents 🤫).

Adding to the mystery, Kalashnikov's stories about the AK-47's design origins have flip-flopped over the years. From outright denial of any similarities with Schmeisser's designs to later admitting "a little bit of inspiration" and even collaboration!

And here's the kicker - while Kalashnikov was developing the AK-47 in one place, Schmeisser was in another, yet still under Soviet direction. Coincidence? I think not!

The early AK designs even had issues similar to Schmeisser's designs, further fueling the speculation. Plus, the USSR 'borrowed' a lot of Schmeisser's technical designs after WWII. 🕵️‍♂️

So, what's your take? Is the AK-47 a product of German engineering prowess, cleverly repackaged as a Soviet masterpiece? Or is it purely Russian innovation? Let's hear your thoughts on this intriguing piece of history!

sauce: https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/03/14/designed-ak-47/

[WarHeRo]

Автор сообщения: L1qu1dator

Some of them are masterpieces from an engineering point of view, you've got to appreciate the craftsmanship.
I'd be more concerned about people calling guns cool, or beautiful.

why, whats wrong being a materialist? if ppl can fall for cars, why not for ricochet

[WarHeRo]

Автор сообщения: Xautos

Amazing how much we rely on designs originating from Nazi Germany these days. okay some advances have been made over that time, but at the core it's still based on those original designs. Even the Americans poached German talent after WW2 for their own projects. just goes to show you how many countries copied off the German technological superiority they had towards the end of the war and those still in progress.

yeah, also diesel engines, rocket science, helicopters... its just so many good things they left us.

[ПЕPНЯШ]

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11547520/

ak wins!

[Pieshaman]

I asked a soldier in sri lanka once if I may hold his gun. (type 56)
to my surprise he handed it over just like that.
it was only for like 3 sec or less even, cause then his sergeant or leutenant came scolding at him like in a movie and I just made these side step crab like movement to get out of view there before he go yell at me too.

[ПЕPНЯШ]

>> I asked a soldier in sri lanka once
man... just asked... a ... statue ... once.. in... real life...
and be ignored, eahh.

[Pieshaman]

Автор сообщения: ПЕPНЯШ

>> I asked a soldier in sri lanka once
man... just asked... a ... statue ... once.. in... real life...
and be ignored, eahh.

well that just the closest experience I got with ak47 xd

[Ulfrinn]

Автор сообщения: Xautos

Автор сообщения: WarHeRo

Here's a quick breakdown: Mikhail Kalashnikov, the so-called 'father' of the AK-47, wasn't the sole brain behind this firearm. Enter Hugo Schmeisser, the German legend behind the world's first assault rifle. There's a twisty tale of Kalashnikov and Schmeisser working together, with Schmeisser's contribution being suspiciously hush-hush (all thanks to classified Soviet documents 🤫).

Adding to the mystery, Kalashnikov's stories about the AK-47's design origins have flip-flopped over the years. From outright denial of any similarities with Schmeisser's designs to later admitting "a little bit of inspiration" and even collaboration! :cozybethesda:

And here's the kicker - while Kalashnikov was developing the AK-47 in one place, Schmeisser was in another, yet still under Soviet direction. Coincidence? I think not! :winter2019coolyul:

The early AK designs even had issues similar to Schmeisser's designs, further fueling the speculation. Plus, the USSR 'borrowed' a lot of Schmeisser's technical designs after WWII. 🕵️‍♂️

So, what's your take? Is the AK-47 a product of German engineering prowess, cleverly repackaged as a Soviet masterpiece? Or is it purely Russian innovation? Let's hear your thoughts on this intriguing piece of history! :cozycsgoctwhite:

sauce: https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/03/14/designed-ak-47/

When the STG/MP 44 dropped into WW2, it was only a matter of time before the other powers would be looking to make their own version of that weapon. it's not surprising the Russians effectively copied the designs for their AK47, the worlds most recognised rifle in existence.

There were earlier designs for assault rifles bit none of them were true assault rifles by the definition we have, the Italians, Russians and French had their own long barrelled rifles adapted for select fire but the thing was how small the ammo clip was, and this was during WW1. These were early attempts at it.

After WW2 the AK47 enjoyed an enormous advantage until the Americans released the M16 as an actual contender. You had the G3 and FAL in there along with the M14, but those are not true assault rifles.

Amazing how much we rely on designs originating from Nazi Germany these days. okay some advances have been made over that time, but at the core it's still based on those original designs. Even the Americans poached German talent after WW2 for their own projects. just goes to show you how many countries copied off the German technological superiority they had towards the end of the war and those still in progress.

They didn't though. The STG44 and the AK share virtually no similarities internally. None at all. SKS is closer related to the STG44 than the AK ever will be. Internally, the AK is actually much closer to the M1 Garand.

[Xautos]

Автор сообщения: Pieshaman

Автор сообщения: ПЕPНЯШ

>> I asked a soldier in sri lanka once
man... just asked... a ... statue ... once.. in... real life...
and be ignored, eahh.

well that just the closest experience I got with ak47 xd

it's a variant of the AK47, in other words it's an AK47 with a different name and a few adjustments. it's not the closest you'll get, it is the real thing.

[Xautos]

Автор сообщения: Ulfrinn

They didn't though. The STG44 and the AK share virtually no similarities internally. None at all. SKS is closer related to the STG44 than the AK ever will be. Internally, the AK is actually much closer to the M1 Garand.

I said they effectively copied, i didn't say it was a direct copy. all the internal components might be different but the design philosophy is the same.

[L1qu1dator]

Автор сообщения: WarHeRo

Автор сообщения: L1qu1dator

Some of them are masterpieces from an engineering point of view, you've got to appreciate the craftsmanship.
I'd be more concerned about people calling guns cool, or beautiful.

why, whats wrong being a materialist? if ppl can fall for cars, why not for ricochet

Because cars aren't made to kill folks.

[kingjames488]

ya, and germany "invented" the atomic bomb too.. and the jet plane... but they couldn't build one that worked... so does it matter?

[Ulfrinn]

Автор сообщения: L1qu1dator

Автор сообщения: WarHeRo

why, whats wrong being a materialist? if ppl can fall for cars, why not for ricochet

Because cars aren't made to kill folks.

It's not really any of your business what someone else has an interest in though. Or what you want to imagine their intentions are. This is a discussion about military and engineering history, not your ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ politics. There's another thread for that.

[Ulfrinn]

Автор сообщения: kingjames488

ya, and germany "invented" the atomic bomb too.. and the jet plane... but they couldn't build one that worked... so does it matter?

They had jets that worked, they built 1,430 of them which flew in the war since 1941.

[ZOMBIECRUNCH]

Of course the design was stolen. Russians have an illustrious history of stealing information and helping Poland not be a country for over 100 years. Due to screwing with information within it's kingdom. I know that there are other things that contributed to it. But I do not care to type it out.

[kingjames488]

Автор сообщения: Ulfrinn

Автор сообщения: kingjames488

ya, and germany "invented" the atomic bomb too.. and the jet plane... but they couldn't build one that worked... so does it matter?

They had jets that worked, they built 1,430 of them which flew in the war since 1941.

they didn't have 1430 jets >.>

maybe like 5 that actually could fly and maybe like 1 that actually did...

still you're on board with germany inventing many things tho?