RugerSociety.com

Mikhail Kalashnikov and Bill Ruger were good friends. On a visit to Ruger's home Mikhail presented these pieces of art to Mr. Ruger. The other guy in the pictures is his interrupter, Valerie Shilling. The short fellow is Kalashnikov.

The hits just keep on coming!

That is cool, Bill with Mr. AK himself!! Thanks for posting Don.
Bill

That is neat indeed. I had read someplace that Bill Ruger presented Mikhail Kalashnikov with one of the Stainless RST4's that were produced to end the MK1-Standard run. 2 of the most influential gun makers of all time for sure.

Thx Don, got a couple pics of Kalashnikov with Stoner clipped from gun mags

Very interesting, I learn something new every time you post.

O M CRAZY aka Vince

What is the 'story' of the paintings? The first photo is a man in a suit and tie, the next is a religious one.

Not sure. These photos are "not too good" copies. What you see is what was sent to me. I'd like to have the originals, but.

Ah, thanks for the memories! I was there when Kalashnikov visited Ruger (Ruger's office was just down the hall) and got to shake his hand. He handed out lapel pins of the newly-adopted Russian flag that replaced the old USSR hammer-and-sickle (I still have it somewhere). It was striking how gentle and kind he was, if you didn't know better- you would think he was any average guy, not the most influential gun designer of the 2nd half of the 20th century.

we were at the NRA convention then I believe it was 1992 and my friend Gary Johnson retired Shaker Hts PD ( Wrote for SOS) introduced me to MR K. and BIll Ruger was there , of course he knew of my wife from the RCA as a 'rep' for Ohio.....from what I recall there was scuttle butt as to MR K and Bill Ruger "renaming" one of the ammo cartridges, but that did NOT happen. Again sorry to say we did not, nor had any pictures taken for us it was "just a job" representing the OGCA at the convention back then....I do recall the elevator ride in the hotel with I believe was Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz basketball team,,NICE guy and BIG!!!!