The participation of German specialists in the creation of the machine
Distributed by the view that the AK is further elaborated copy of the German StG-44 assault rifle, based on similarities in appearance between them, the work of Hugo Shmaysera in Izhevsk in size, the study of StG-44 Soviet specialists on the subject of borrowing (in August 1945, at the plant "Henel" were mounted and transferred to the USSR for the technical assessment of 50 Stg-44).
However, it is worth noting that a similar shape of the barrel, bead and vapor tubes due to the use of a similar gas engine, which could not be borrowed from the Kalashnikov Shmaysera, as has been invented long before that. Structural difference is quite large and are in the device locking trunk (turning the bolt from the AK and the gate bias from LL-43), trigger mechanism, the differences in the dismantling of weapons (a Kalashnikov is needed to lift the lid receiver, and the StG-44 - recline down to the pin box USM, along with the handle The fire control). Also worth noting that the AK is easier than the StG-44 (filled with masses of 4.8 and 5.22 kg respectively).
According to separate sources, the merit of Hugo Shmayssera was to develop a technology of cold forging, which he was engaged until 1952, that played a role in the appearance of the store and stamped receiver AKM (since 1959). Yet, such technologies are used and to Shmaysera, including the Soviet Union in the manufacture of pistols, machine guns PPSH and PPP-43, which had largely stamped design until StG-44, that is, from the Soviet side had already had some experience in the manufacture of small arms parts are stamped. However, it should be noted that Hugo Shmaysser left no memoirs of the time spent in the Soviet Union, so any other information about the participation of Shmayssera and other German experts in the development of Kalashnikov currently unavailable.
This is also worth adding that the design of the AC elements pilot automatic carbine, Kalashnikov created back in 1944, and experimental samples of new machines for the range of tests were prepared before the arrival of German specialists in Izhevsk.
Thus, it is possible with great certainty to the conclusion that the AK is a proprietary formulation of Mikhail Kalashnikov.