A Soviet hero
The Soviet Union’s propagandists were always looking for proletarian heroes to serve as role models, and they found one in the peasant weapons designer and former tank corps sergeant.
Mr. Kalashnikov, who attained the reserve rank of lieutenant general, was showered with awards, titles, bonuses and favors. He was awarded the USSR State Prize and the Stalin Prize in 1949. Later came Hero of Socialist Labor (twice), the Lenin Prize (twice) and many others.
After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Mr. Kalashnikov continued to work at the armaments plant in Izhevsk, Russia. As an employee of the state, he earned no royalties but did receive special access to autos and a country cottage. He franchised his name to makers of vodka, umbrellas, pocket knives and other novelties, but sales were slow.
His wife, the former Ekaterina Viktorovna, who also worked in the weapons plant at Izhevsk, died in 1977. Survivors include three children. A complete list of survivors could not be confirmed.