Na Machine Gun DSM This guy's gift to the world is still sounding perfect...especially in conflict zones around the world. MOSCOW - Mikhail Kalashnikov, the Russian inventor of the AK-47 assault rifle, turned 90 Tuesday. Then-Soviet soldier Kalashnikov was inspired to design the weapon after being wounded in 1941 during WWII. While his first attempts were deemed unsuccessful, he was given a position in weapons development, and by 1947 he had perfected his masterpiece. Since then, the AK-47 has become the most widespread and famous assault rifle in history. Used by some 50 armies around the world, as well as countless urban guerrilla movements, it is also featured on the flag of Mozambique. However, despite estimated sales of 100 million, Kalashnikov, who lives in the Western Urals city of Izhevsk, claims not to have profited from the AK-47 and to receive only a state pension. “Without doubt, Mikhail Kalashnikov is the world patriarch of small arms weapons,” the deputy director of R...