The APK-42 was Chief Sergeant Mikhail Kalashnikov's first working firearm design, chambered in 7.62mm Tokarev. After being injured by German artillery and being sent back home, he conceived of this weapon and produced a handful of prototypes for Soviet testing programs. Though dismissed by the Soviet Army, this weapon helped Kalashnikov kickstart his career as a professional arms designer, and the weapon was strangely enough produced by North Korea.