WWII Soviet Izhevsk TT33 7.62x25mm Tokarev Semi-Auto Pistol, MFD 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,242.53
LSB#: 191004JH02
Make: Izhevsk Arsenal, Russia
Model: Tokarev TT33
Serial Number: YA V 145 (A backwards “R” is their character for “YA” and “B” is equivalent to “V”.
Year of Manufacture: 1944
Caliber: 7.62x25mm Tokarev
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Single Stack 8 Round Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the frame and the top of the slide are marked “YA” (Backwards R) “B” (V) “145”, an arrow inside a triangle inside a circle (Izhevsk), and “1944”. The left rear of the frame above the grip is also marked with a square with a diagonal line through it (Arsenal refurbishment mark) and “YAV” (We think this is a gun make code added by the importer). There are many more inspection marks scattered over the sides of the frame and slide. The left side of the slide is marked with the import marks “TT RUSSIA 7.62X25” and “CAI ST ALB VT”.
Barrel Length: 4 5/8”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade with a vertical rear face fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a tall “U” notched sight dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are black serrated plastic, with the left grip cut-out for the lanyard ring at its bottom rear corner. There is a large circle in the center of the grips with a Russian 5-pointed star and the letters “CCCP”. There is light to moderate wear in the serrations, with two large dings and several tiny dings in the serrations of the right grip. The left grip is in about Fine condition and the right grip in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: The pistol has a blued finish.
Finish Originality: Original. The import marks are through the current finish, not under it.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with light wear in the rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 65% of its metal finish. There is finish loss on the front strap, backstrap and the edges of the slide, frame, and decocker. There are various levels of thinning in the remaining areas. There are machine marks under the finish in the lower portion of the slide near the muzzle and grind marks under the finish in the sides of the trigger guard. There are small dings and scratches scattered over the surfaces. The edges of the slide serrations show very light wear but there are bruises around the screw that runs through the slide. The right side of the slide release shows tool marks. The magazine release screw is sharp. The markings are mostly readable. Overall, this handgun rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This pistol has a frame mounted safety and a half-cock position in the hammer. The trigger has a small amount of creep and the slide is tight to the frame. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single blued 8 round magazine. The floorplate is marked “EE / 1344”. There are spots of erosion scattered over the right side of the magazine and the floorplate, with dings under the finish in the floorplate. The magazine is in about Very Good overall condition.
Our Assessment: This pistol is a Russian Tokarev TT33 made in 1944 at the Izhevsk Arsenal. The TT30 was developed in the early 1930s by Fedor Tokarev as a service pistol for the Soviet military to replace the Nagant M1895 revolver that had been in use since Tsarist times. It was re-designed shortly thereafter to the TT33. The 7.62x25mm Tokarev cartridge has excellent penetration and can easily defeat lighter ballistic vests as well as some Kevlar helmets. Although most firearms chambered in this caliber were declared obsolete and removed from military inventories, some Police and Special Forces units in Russia, Pakistan and China may still use it because of the large quantity of stored ammunition available. This pistol has import markings, but the serial numbers on the frame and slide are matching. A safety was added to the frame for compliance with US Import Regulations. The pistol is in about Very Good condition with about 65% of its finish remaining. The bore is gray with light wear in the rifling and no erosion, and the slide is tight to the frame. This pistol will make a great gun for home defense, and with its nice bore and tight slide, and this pistol should provide shooting enjoyment for decades to come.
