Izhevsk Arsenal Russia TT33 TT-33 7.62×25 Tokarev Semi-Auto Pistol 1942 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1142
LSB#: 220415GG043
Make: Izhevsk Factory 74, Russia
Model: TT33
Serial Number: 3K4028
Year of Manufacture: 1942
Caliber: 7.62×25 Tokarev
Action Type: Single Action, Semi-Auto Pistol fed by Removable Magazine (not included)
Markings: The left side of the frame and the top of the slide are marked with the serial number. The left side of the frame is marked with the Izhevsk Factory mark, the year of manufacture, and several small factory markings on the side of the trigger guard. The left side of the trigger and slide stop is marked “R” in a circle. The right side of the trigger is marked with an Izhevsk Factory mark. The right side of the frame and trigger guard has assorted arsenal marks.
Barrel Length: 4.5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a small blade fixed to the top of the slide. The rear sight is a tall U-notch leaf dovetailed to the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered wood panels. The left panel is relieved for the lanyard ring. The panels show moderate wear with scattered compressions, scuffs, and scratches on the smooth portions. The checkering shows moderate-heavy handling wear and is defined. There are no chips or cracks. The grips rate in about Good-Plus overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dim and the rifling is worn yet defined. There is scattered erosion and pitting in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 45% of its metal finish. There are several nicks and scratches throughout the metal. There is heavy erosion, pitting, and finish loss throughout the slide as well as on the frame, though less severe on the frame. The barrel also shows erosion and finish loss. There is considerable oxidation on the back strap. There is finish loss on the controls. The pins are tool marked but not peened. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fair-Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This pistol is not equipped with a safety. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a brown leather holster, lanyard, and two 8-round magazines.
Our Assessment: In 1930 the Soviet Revolutionary Military Council began looking for a replacement for the 1895 Nagant revolver. The new pistol was to chamber the newly adopted 7.62x25mm cartridge. That cartridge is dimensionally identical to the German 7.63 Mauser Broomhandle cartridge but was loaded to a higher pressure. Tokarev, an official at the Tula arsenal, led a group that submitted one of the designs tested. They obviously borrowed some features from the Colt 1911 design such as the method of locking the breech and use of the link to tilt the barrel up. Tokarev took a couple interesting turns. First, there was no safety. Another distinctive feature is the hammer-sear mechanism which can be removed from the frame as a complete unit. Finally, there are no screws used in the gun. The grips are held in place by internal catches. The Soviet Arms committee liked the design and designated it the Tula-Tokarev 1930 pistol or TT-30. The TT-30 was produced through 1936 with about 93,000 pistols being made. In 1933 two changes were made to the design which necessitated changing the name to TT-33. The changes were in the method the barrel locking lugs were machined and by simplifying frame design to reduce the number of parts needed. These changes did not get incorporated into the production line until 1936. The TT-33 was produced through WWII and into the mid 1950’s. This particular example is in Fair-Good condition with 45% original finish remaining. It has no safety or import marking indicating that this pistol may be a bring-back, though there is no paperwork to substantiate this. This is an interesting early TT-33 that would sit well in a collection. Please see our photos and good luck!