Kalashnikov autograph!

[lobst3r]

Hello,
Does anyone know how I can get a genuine Kalashnikov autograph? I'd love to put that on the wall in my gun room.
Thanks!

[icemen]

Ditto that.

[RomanStepanov]

ask Vladimir Makarov

[lobst3r]

Thank you for the tip.
I just sent Makarov a private message.
Wish me luck!

[makarov]

Michail has problems with an arm. It(he) very much not willingly gives the autograph now. It(he) the very good man. I very much respect it(him).
I shall attempt to receive the autograph and if I I shall be a success - I shall have a contact to you.
Today I have some photos about the autograph - but it belongs to to my collection and as some photos about the autograph - are cooked for my friends, which one will arrive in the summer to me.

[lobst3r]

Thank you very much for your reply. If there is any way that I can assist you, please don't hesitate to ask. I would greatly appreciate an autograph, but I certainly wouldn't want to cause Mr. Kalashnikov any pain. Again, thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you again in the future.
Regards,
William

[drifter_r6]

I remember reading an interview with Mr. Kalashnikov that he was retired and receives a modest retirement check from the Russian government... and he was quoted as saying something to the effect of "I could barely afford my airline ticket and Eugene Stoner owns several personal planes..."

I'm curious if Mr. Kalashnikov is living a "comfortable" life over in Russia, since the awards and medals he has received doesn't pay the bills, if you know what I mean.

I know he's a kind and extremely proud man... with that being said I wouldn't mind paying to have an authentic autograph on a buttstock, but I certainly wouldn't want to cause Mr. Kalashnikov any additional pain either.

Any takers?

-R

[lobst3r]

The sad fact is that we Americans don't pay their heros any better than the Russians do. Have you ever heard of Carlos Hathcock? He was a Marine Corps sniper in Vietnam. He was an incredible man, he not only killed a lot of VC, he taughter others how to do it, too. Problem was, his sniper skills weren't worth very much back here in the Good Old US of A. Along with health problems, Carlos died a broken man, with no money in the bank. And, he's not the only hero who's been forgotton over the years. Look at how we pay our Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters, Public School Teachers, Nurses, etc., it really makes you wonder if maybe our priorities are totally screwed up. A vagabond stock trader rolls our of bed after a long night partying and can make 10 million a year, and we think that's cool, the American Way. A fireman, who risks his life on a day to day basis, gets paid $30,000.00 and we think that's okay?

Hmm....maybe we should start a Kalashnikov Fund? Does he have e-mail? I'll bet he has access to a computer....that way we could send him money via PayPal. What do you guys think?

[Redrug]

Carlos may have had a broken body but not a broken spirit. I met him at a gun show where he was signing autographs. When I told him I was at LZ Baldy(he was there also) , when the VC skinned the Marine from H&S Company alive he stopped signing and we talked as long as he could. I met him again at a Corps birthday party years later and we talked again at length. His MS was bad then but he still showed great dignity and an unassuming character that I greatly admired, I told him I was outraged by the way he was treated he simply smiled and said ,dont worry about me.

[AvtomatKalashnikova]

Yes it indeed sad how we, in fact people everywhere, forget the heroes that once made a difference. But when the news headlines faded, memory fades as well.

One of the greatest wish of my life is to get an autograph of Mr. Kalashnikov, but I certainly don't want him to experience any more pain. I wish him well.