Soviet TT33 “Tokarev” Pistol
This pistol was obtained at the Lakeland, FL gunshow last weekend. While walking the hall I noticed this pistol sitting on a table at the end of the aisle from Len’s table. I asked the seller his price and he immediately began the hard sell; which I hate. I am also hard of hearing and his voice was giving me some problems. I went about my business half hoping someone else would buy this and relieve me of the duty of having to deal with this seller again. I am about as low pressure as they come when it comes to gun sales. I just hate to get the used car dealer treatment when I am buying guns. At 4:45pm with 15 minutes left I caved in and bought this pistol. It came with one magazine, cleaning rod and a leather holster that is clearly a Peoples Republic of China Type 54 holster. The holster does appear to have been with this pistol for a good long time so I have begun exploring the idea that this might be a capture piece from Vietnam.
The finish on this pistol is graying with some residual finish in less exposed areas. There is a very fine misting of the exterior metal finish from exposure a long time ago to moisture or more likely service in a very moist environment that degraded the finish but not to the point of pitting. There is no active rust. The pistol is a TT33 built at Tula in 1941. All small and major parts and marked with the Tula star. The barrel, frame, slide and internal workings group all have matching serial numbers. The magazine appears to be a replacement obtained in the USA. The bore is in good shape as are the mechanics of this pistol. There are no importers markings to be found on this pistol. The original grips are intact. There has not been a safety installed on this pistol. These last three facts seem to indicate that this pistol came to the USA prior to 1968 as either a war trophy or private luggage of a person who purchased it overseas.
I think this pistol was a bargain but would like your opionion as to approximate values on a pistol like this. Several "big time" collectors walked past it on a number of occaisons and I have been known to pay more than the norm from time to time.
Download Attachment: Soviet TT33.JPG
267.23KB
This pistol was obtained at the Lakeland, FL gunshow last weekend. While walking the hall I noticed this pistol sitting on a table at the end of the aisle from Len’s table. I asked the seller his price and he immediately began the hard sell; which I hate. I am also hard of hearing and his voice was giving me some problems. I went about my business half hoping someone else would buy this and relieve me of the duty of having to deal with this seller again. I am about as low pressure as they come when it comes to gun sales. I just hate to get the used car dealer treatment when I am buying guns. At 4:45pm with 15 minutes left I caved in and bought this pistol. It came with one magazine, cleaning rod and a leather holster that is clearly a Peoples Republic of China Type 54 holster. The holster does appear to have been with this pistol for a good long time so I have begun exploring the idea that this might be a capture piece from Vietnam.
The finish on this pistol is graying with some residual finish in less exposed areas. There is a very fine misting of the exterior metal finish from exposure a long time ago to moisture or more likely service in a very moist environment that degraded the finish but not to the point of pitting. There is no active rust. The pistol is a TT33 built at Tula in 1941. All small and major parts and marked with the Tula star. The barrel, frame, slide and internal workings group all have matching serial numbers. The magazine appears to be a replacement obtained in the USA. The bore is in good shape as are the mechanics of this pistol. There are no importers markings to be found on this pistol. The original grips are intact. There has not been a safety installed on this pistol. These last three facts seem to indicate that this pistol came to the USA prior to 1968 as either a war trophy or private luggage of a person who purchased it overseas.
I think this pistol was a bargain but would like your opionion as to approximate values on a pistol like this. Several "big time" collectors walked past it on a number of occaisons and I have been known to pay more than the norm from time to time.
Download Attachment: Soviet TT33.JPG
267.23KB