Soviet, WW2-Dated 1944, PPSh-41 7.62×25mm Submachine Gun, Matching Serial No. ОН3172, Spare 71-Round Drum Magazine, UK/EU Deactivated

*Soviet, WW2-Dated 1944, PPSh-41 7.62×25mm Submachine Gun, Matching Serial No. ОН3172, Spare 71-Round Drum Magazine, UK/EU Deactivated*

An original Soviet PPSh-41 submachine gun manufactured in 1944, retaining matching wartime serial number ОН3172 (Cyrillic prefix) to the receiver, barrel assembly and original hardwood butt stock. Complete with its original 35-round box magazine, a spare original 71-round drum magazine and its London Proof House UK/EU Deactivation Certificate.

The receiver is correctly stamped with the 1944 production date above the Cyrillic serial number ОН3172, with the same matching number repeated on the rear barrel assembly and the right side of the butt stock, confirming these principal components remain together. The underside of the receiver behind the trigger guard is numbered ОН3173 together with the mark 1М3, indicating a replacement trigger housing fitted during military or arsenal service, a common occurrence on Soviet weapons maintained throughout and after the Second World War.

The original curved 35-round box magazine accompanies the gun and is stamped 9, while the spare wartime 71-round drum magazine is serialled ОН8865 crossed out. As drum magazines were individually fitted during wartime production and frequently exchanged during military service and subsequent refurbishment, it is entirely normal for surviving examples to retain non-matching drums.

The original solid hardwood stock displays an attractive wartime patina together with matching serial number ОН3172, period inspection markings and evidence of an old arsenal repair, adding further authenticity and character to this iconic Soviet Second World War submachine gun.

Approximate Measurements: Overall Length: 33 inches (84 cm). Barrel Length: 10 inches (as recorded on certificate), Calibre: 7.62×25mm Tokarev

History Note:
Designed by Georgy Shpagin and officially adopted by the Red Army in 1941, the PPSh-41 (Pistolet-Pulemyot Shpagina obr. 1941g.) became one of the most successful and recognisable submachine guns of the Second World War. Constructed almost entirely from pressed steel stampings with a chrome-lined barrel, it was engineered for rapid, economical production while maintaining exceptional battlefield reliability. More than six million examples were manufactured during the war, making it one of the most prolific military firearms ever produced.

By 1944 the PPSh-41 had become the standard Soviet infantry submachine gun, seeing extensive service during the great Soviet offensives across Eastern Europe and the final advance into Berlin. Its exceptionally high cyclic rate of approximately 900 rounds per minute, combined with either a 71-round drum or later 35-round box magazine, made it particularly effective during close-quarter fighting in towns, forests and urban environments.

Early production PPSh-41s were supplied with individually fitted drum magazines, each serial numbered to its parent weapon because manufacturing tolerances required hand fitting. As production expanded, the simpler and lighter 35-round box magazine gradually replaced the drum, although both remained in widespread wartime service. Like many surviving Soviet small arms, this example shows evidence of routine military maintenance, with a replacement trigger housing fitted during its service life while retaining matching receiver, barrel assembly and stock.

*Condition*
Presented in very good original military condition with honest wartime service wear throughout. The metalwork retains an attractive original military finish displaying expected edge wear, handling marks and light areas of surface oxidation consistent with military use and long-term storage. The ventilated barrel jacket, receiver and sights remain particularly well preserved, while the original hardwood stock retains an attractive aged finish with scattered handling marks, period inspection stamps and evidence of an old arsenal repair.

The principal markings remain clear and well defined, including the 1944 receiver date, matching Cyrillic serial number ОН3172 on the receiver, barrel assembly and butt stock, ОН3173 beneath the trigger guard with 1М3 marking, together with numerous Soviet inspection and acceptance marks. The original box magazine is numbered 9, while the spare drum magazine is serialled ОН3174.

In accordance with its current deactivation specification, the trigger moves freely, however the bolt is fixed and does not retract, and the magazine is fixed in place and cannot be removed. Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the condition report.

Deactivation Details:
Deactivated to current UK/EU specification and accompanied by its original London Proof House Deactivation Certificate, Certificate No. 11619, dated 5 October 2023. The certificate records the firearm as a PPSh-41 Submachine Gun, manufactured by a Soviet State Arsenal, chambered in 7.62×25mm with a 10-inch barrel, serial number 3172, and country of origin Russia.

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