Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov, born November 10, 1919, was a Russian general and small arms designer. He was most known for developing the AK-47 assault rifle along with its improvements, AKM and AK-74. Kalashnikov has always emphasized that his rifle is “a weapon of defense” and “not a weapon for offense”. Kalashnikov died on December 23, 2013.