During and after WWI, both the Russians and Soviets purchased 7.63 Mauser pistols. They began producing the cartridge in the late 1920s. Around 1929-1930, the USSR chose the Tokarev designed TT-30 pistol for service. At that time they renamed the 7.63 Mauser cartridge 7.62 Tokarev. That's it...they are dimensionally the same round. I won't get involved in the "which is hotter debate" as pressure varies greatly between different producers and countries. Some German and Czech 7.63 Mauser ammo was loaded quite hot for both pistol and SMG use, and some East Bloc 7.62 Tokarev ammo has tested rather light.
Personally, I would have no qualms about using Polish, Romanian, Chinese, or Yugoslav Tokarev ammo in a well-maintained and sprung C96 Mauser pistol.
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