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This is a history of the world’s most successful military rifle and the arms factory that made the Kalashnikov family of weapons. It was co-written by Val Shilin, a close associate of legendary arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov at the Izhmash Arms Factory, and noted U.S. small-arms expert Charlie Cutshaw, author of The New World of Russian Small Arms and Ammo. The Izhmash Arms Factory was founded in the early 1800s and became Russia’s largest, most prestigious firearms producer. Today, it is best known as the home of the Kalashnikov Design Bureau. This book chronicles the fruits of the partnership between Kalashnikov and Izhmash as well as the weapons of other Izhmash designers and those of competing designers. It includes photos and technical specifications of all AK-based weapons, including shotguns, submachine guns, pistols and civilian rifles; the first public appearance of the AKB and AKB-1 assault rifles; and the mysterious A-62. 8 1/2 x 11, softcover, photos, 192 pp.