"The first true assault rifle was probably the Italian-made Cei-Rigotti, which was developed in the 1890s and finished around 1900, at the beginning of the 20th century; it never entered military service, however. The first service assault rifle was the Russian Federov Avtomat of 1916, chambered for the Japanese Arisaka 6.5 × 50 mm rifle cartridge, which was only used in small numbers due to supply problems."




" Originally created by Amerigo Cei, an officer in the Italian army, in 1890, the Cei-Rigotti rifle was extensively modified by Rigotti in 1900, and is often regarded as the first assault rifle. Over the next few years (1903 and 1911) there were improvements to its internal functions, such as its gas operation. This is also what made the Cei-Rigotti so modern, the fact that it was the first time a gas operated action was successfully used in a rifle. The rifle also featured 6.5x52mm munition in what was probably a 25 round detachable box magazine. The system, although not actually used by any army (possibly because of unreliability), was remade in Switzerland, Russia, Austria. These variations featured 8x56mm munition (Austria) and 7,62x54mm (Russia)."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assault_rifle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cei-Rigotti
http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Assault_rifle
http://www.fas.org/news/reference/probert/F3.HTM
http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/Assault.htm

As for the AK-47 ,according to Kalashnikov all he used from the German example is the 7.62 ammunition. However, the Soviets wanted a new design because they were impressed with the German weapon, so in that small respect you can say that they based the AK47 on it, but that would like saying that all future jets was based on the Me-262. They are all jets, but they aren't based on it.

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.

I'm the "Confederate with a pipe"!! LOL