*Russian Red Army, 1935, Tokarev TT30, 2nd Variation, Semi Automatic Pistol. Deactivated.*
The Tokarev was a reliable, well-made semi-automatic pistol based on a Browning type action. In 1930, Fedor Tokarev developed the TT30, a pistol to replace the old Nagant M1895 revolver. The pistol was adopted in 1930 but serial production did not start until 1933, originally known as the TT30 it underwent developemental changes in 1934 & 1935 and the definitive design of the TT33 was first manufactured in 1936 and then known as the TT33. Most TT30/33s went to commanding officers. The Red Army used the TT30/33 widely during World War II. From 1931 to 1945, the Soviet Union made 1,330,000 Tokarev pistols. Production of TT30’s happened at the Tula Weapons Factory (TT33 production moved to Izhevsk in 1941 due to the German invasion.) The “TT” in the pistol’s name stands for “Tula Factory, Tokarev Design.”
This specific pistol, produced in 1935 in Tula, is a second variation of the TT30 model. The initial TT30 had a removable section in the frame backstrap for the hammer spring, featured barrel lugs machined only halfway around the barrel, and used a slightly different hammer assembly. The first variant, manufactured in 1934, had barrel lugs machined all the way around the barrel, while the second variant from 1935 also adopted the later TT33-style hammer assembly but still retained the removable backstrap plate. You’ll notice the star on the trigger, a feature commonly found on TT30 pistols and this pistol also has the characteristic wartime larger milled grips on the slide.
Serial number 28394, chambered in 7.62mm cal. 110mm barrel length. The serial number 28394 and year 1935 is stamped on the frame and the top of the barrel and the serial number is also stamped on the backstrap. The magazine is stamped 23952. The Russian Tula star is on both sides of the trigger and the top of the barrel. It has good CCCP marked plastic grips.
This example has the original Russian markings, but more interestingly it also bears Italian stamps. It is quite possible that it was captured by Italian forces before being re issued. Equally when the Tokarev pistols were no longer needed by the Russians, a significant quantity was imported by an Italian dealer. It is marked as Cat. 2878, an Italian practice applied to every firearm imported or produced in Italy until 2011. Many TT30 pistols underwent testing and proofing by the Gardone proof house in Italy.
*Condition*
This unusual Old Spec find is in great condition, it cocks and dryfires and is fully deactivated. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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