The semi-automatic Tokarev pistol, developed by F. T. Tokarev, was adopted by the Soviet Armed Forces as the TT-30 model in 1930. In 1936 model TT-33 was introduced, which was an improved version of the TT-30, with a large focus on simplifying its production. TT-33 pistols were widely used by Soviet troops during World War II, where it was mostly issued to officers, although it didn’t completely replace the Nagant revolver.
Design
The Tokarev TT-33 bares great resemblance with the looks of the Browning M1903 semi-automatic pistol and uses the Colt M1911‘s short-recoil system. The pistol is chambered for the 7.62×25mm Tokarev cartridge, of which the design was based on the 7.63×25mm cartridge used in the German Mauser C96 pistol.
Production
An estimated 93,000 of the TT-30 model were produced by 1936 and over 450,000 of the TT-33 model from 1936 until the end of production in Russia in 1954. After the Second World War, licensed production continued on a large scale.
World War Two
Because the TT-33 pistol was so reliable it earned a good reputation during World War Two. The German Wehrmacht reissued captured Tokarev TT-33 pistols under the Pistole 615(r) designation, because the Soviet 7.62 mm Model 1930 Type P cartridges were exchangeable with the German 7.63×25mm Mauser cartridge.
Specifications
The 7.62mm Tokarev TT-33 displayed in the pictures of this article has the following specifications:
- Manufacturer
Tula State Weapons Factory, Soviet Union - Year of manufacture
1940 - Propulsion
Self-propelled by direct gas pressure, short barrel recoil, rigid locking using a swivel-lock breech - Caliber
7.62 mm, 4 grooves, right-hand twist - Barrel length
115mm - Initial Velocity (Vo)
418 m/s - Magazine capacity
8 cartridges - Standard ammunition
7.62×25 mm - Weapon length
197mm - Weight
855 g
