The jewel in the crown of Samizdata.net
A blog for people with a critically rational individualist perspective. We are developing the social individualist meta-context for the future. From the very serious to the extremely frivolous... lets see what is on the mind of the Samizdata people.

Samizdata, derived from Samizdat /n. a system of clandestine publication of banned literature in the USSR
[Russ.,= self-publishing house]
Learn about the Gadsden flag.

Support Denmark and Free Speech against totalitarian Islam.
Default font size Large font size Larger font size
There is much to find for those who look
White Rose
Print Version
Blogging Glossary
Pictures
Meme hacks
Merchandise
Samizdata for PDA
Syndicate Samizdata.net
XMLRDF
Samizdata.net is one of the 100 most influential blogs in the blogosphere
We are not alone

White Rose protest blog collective

Libertarian Alliance
Libertarian Alliance

Centre for the New Europe

Libertarian International
Liberty's cause transcends
mere national borders





Made possible by...
Web and graphic design by the dissident frogman

Powered by Movable Type
 
February 22, 2003
Saturday
 
 
Kapitalist Kalashnikov
Perry de Havilland (London)  How very odd!
Trackbacks to this post (1)

It is good to see Mikhail Kalashnikov, the inventor of that fine weapon that was for so many years an icon of violent socialism, finally succumbing to full blown capitalism.

Coming to your neighbourhood soon... Kalashnikov umbrellas, snow boards and cocktails: products for real men!

More seriously, it seems only fair that the man who created what is pretty much the definitive assault rifle finally gets to make a buck or two out of his masterpiece.

(link via Kevin Connors)

Comments

Indeed a fine piece of robust, no-nonsense engineering. I doubt if poor Mr Kalashnikov is succumbing to capitalism, so much as finally being given the opportunity to really find out about it.

He was misinformed, and I hope he lives long enough to enjoy some of the wealth he deserves as well as to tell us all he now realises he was misinformed.


Posted by mark at February 22, 2003 02:59 PM

Somehow, though, his comment in the article claiming he couldn't go with an American firm as that would be 'disloyal' to Rodina seems just a tad ingenuous; didn't Germans inflict actual damage to his country, including his own injuries?


Posted by MommaBear at February 22, 2003 08:03 PM

It's a wonderful world!


Posted by Dean Esmay at February 23, 2003 04:28 AM

Sort of like Porsche Design or Harley Davidson.


Posted by Fred Boness at February 23, 2003 06:54 AM

Too bad Burgess Meredith isn't around to promote that Kalashnikov umbrella :-)


Posted by Alan K. Henderson at February 23, 2003 09:17 AM

This post: "STALINGRADUATES REVISE HISTORY" a Thimbleful of Thorns, may "amuse" you.


Posted by Malthusiast at February 23, 2003 12:06 PM

Did you know that Mikhail Kalashnikov is a life member of the Amarican NRA? (as I am...) And has spoken on the right of all citizens to keep and bear arms? There is a real spark of freedom in the New Russia!


Posted by Steve Bodio at February 23, 2003 05:11 PM

Steve: that's interesting... do you have a pointer to the attribution for that assertion?


Posted by Russell Whitaker at February 24, 2003 12:25 AM

Ironic that Kalashnikov, the product of Soviet Statism, gets to profit from his ideas, whereas John Garand, designer of what Patton called the "Finest battle implement of the war", the M-1 Rifle, never did, as he was a government employee and the patents, naturally, belonged to Uncle Sam...


Posted by Martin A. at February 26, 2003 05:35 AM