THE AK47 assault rifle is the world’s most recognisable firearm. The brainchild of the self-taught Russian engineer Mikhail Kalashnikov, its elegantly simple system of operation and robust construction have ensured it remains in worldwide use 60 years after it was created.
In Kalashnikov’s words, as soon as it appeared on the world stage the AK47 became a “golem”, taking on a life of its own. It is now and has become an iconic artefact, emblematic of revolutionary struggle or terrorism (depending on your view of its user), or a status…
