Russian Tula TT-33 Tokarev 4.5” 7.62×25 Semi Auto Pistol, MFD 1936 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,505.00
LSB#: LSB250917GD010
Make: Tula Arsenal
Model: TT-33
Serial Number: 2515
Year of Manufacture: 1936 -C&R
Caliber: 7.62x25mm
Action Type: Semi-Automatic, Single Action, Tilting Lock, Magazine Fed
Markings: The Top of the slide is marked, “2515 / 1938” The left side of the frame is marked, “2515 / 1938” There are various Tula proofs throughout. The mag is marked “2515”.
Barrel Length: 4.5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a u-notch dovetailed to the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two piece ribbed polymer with a star. There are pressure dents, scratches, and small nicks throughout. There are no cracks, but there are some small chips. Overall, the grips rate are in about Very Good condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: One 8rd magazine in Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 85% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows handling and storage wear. There are scratches and thinning throughout. The leading edges and high contact points have thinning. There are light nicks throughout. The screw heads are sharp. The pins are serviceable. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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 total of one magazine and serialized box.
Our Assessment: Early-production Tokarevs from the 1930s occupy a special place in Soviet small-arms history, representing the formative years of Red Army modernization before the pressures of WWII transformed the design and its manufacturing processes. A 1936-dated Tula TT-33—built only four years after the model’s introduction—illustrates the prewar pattern with its refined machining, deep blue finish, and early-style ribbed grips bearing the five-point Soviet star. These pistols were produced in comparatively small numbers before mass wartime mobilization began, making surviving examples both historically significant and far less common than their 1941–45 counterparts. The clean, sharp bore on this example is particularly notable given its age and period.
The pistol shows honest holster wear along the leading edges and flats, consistent with service use before and during the early war years, but the metal remains solid, the markings clear, and the mechanics sound. The ribbed grips retain their form with only light chipping, and the included serialized box adds further appeal. For collectors seeking an early Tula Tokarev—representing the era when the Red Army transitioned from revolvers to a modern self-loading service pistol—this is a historically rich example of a scarce prewar configuration. We are no longer offering layaway. Please see our photos and good luck with your bid! -N.P
