Russian Tokarev

Mike B · 03-13-2015, 02:10 AM

I have a very good friend who ask me to find a Russian Tokarev. I know nothing about them. It appears that neighboring countries Tokarev pistols can be purchased for about $200.00 or so. But the Russian with "CCCP" grips brings in the $2000.00 range. Is the only difference between the Russian and the Slavic nations the grips?

Mike

alanint · 03-13-2015, 06:17 AM

Mechanically, yes. Early imports were required to have an added "safety", which was basically a metal clip, which could be easely removed by taking off the grip. Later imports added a factory designed safety, which is a permanent feature of the design now.

Authentic Russian versions are rare in the US and therefore command a higher price, although I would be very hard pressed to spenad anywhere near $2,000 for one.

John Sabato · 03-13-2015, 09:38 AM

I don't own a Tokarev, and don't want one... unless someone was giving them away...

but the ones I have seen in my lifetime range from NICEto "look like they were made by convicts with files... IMHO, The Russian examples seem to be closer to the first description, rather than the second... But I agree with Doug, no way I would think they would be worth $2000... heck that is at least TWO reasonably nice Lugers!

sheepherder · 03-13-2015, 09:53 AM

I have one of the 'Zastava, Yugoslavia' M57 variations of the TT-33. It has an elongated grip frame & magazine and holds an extra 7.62mm round. Very well made for a military pistol; the add-on 'safety' needs work or it will fire when you apply the safety (instructions are available on the Internet).

The Zastava has several upgrades from the Russian TT-33, like a captive recoil spring. There are 9mm barrels available for the TT-33 which also fit the Zastava.

I like it.

Mike B · 03-13-2015, 05:14 PM

I totally agree that NO Tokarev is worth $2000.00. Take a quick look at "gun international" or some other provider. This is the asking price. I doubt very seriously they are getting that price. As far as why anyone would want one, here is his reasoning. First he is not a gun collector. He is coin dealer. When he found out that I collected Lugers he ask me to sell him a Luger at a price he could afford. He said he was trying to collect one example hand gun from each of the World War II countries. I told him he would end up with many. He said he wanted only US, Germany, England and Russia. Besides the Luger, I sold him a 1911A1 and a Webley. Now he wants a Russian.

Mike

saab-bob · 03-13-2015, 06:46 PM

Mike
Your friend sounds like he collects stuff like I do.
Get a luger,need a correct spare mag,need the correct holster,period ammo,manual,tool,sales brochure,ad infinitum!
Its crazy!

Bob

Desperado · 03-14-2015, 10:38 AM

Tell your friend he should also get a Japanese Nambu T-14 to complete that set of "major" players in WWII. There isn't a lot of interest in the Nambu (although it is heating up) so he should be able to find a nice one in the $400 - $600 range. I bought one off this board's Trader section for that, a year or so back.

Douglas Jr. · 03-14-2015, 02:29 PM

I have a 1941 made TT33.
The is in very nice condition which is amazing considering that it probably fought during four years in the WWII worst front. I guess it was captured by a German in the early stages of the Operation Barbarosa and later captured again by the Brazilian Expedionary Force in Italy in 1944-45. Early examples ahd their mags numbered and pistols with matching mags command a premium. Toks are very, very hard to find down here so I'm pretty much satisfied with this one (I know the holster is postwar but I'm glad with that for now).

Olle · 03-14-2015, 10:53 PM

Why wouldn't you want a Tokarev? It's a classic pistol, rugged as a farm implement and in a hard hitting caliber. You'd probably be better armed with a Tokarev than a 1911 (flame suit on...

).

I'm still looking for a nice Russian TT-33, but have one Romanian shooter and a Chinese Type 54. I really lucked out on the T54, I found it at the local gun show where it had been sitting for two days in plain view on a table next to the entrance. I found it an hour before closing time, but thought "there's been hundreds of people walking by and nobody bought it, must be something wrong with it". I walked out without even looking closer at it, but on the way home I had second thoughts. I raced back and bought it, and after inspection I found that it was a really nice non-import with original holster. I paid $600 for it, and have seen T54s in similar condition sell (actual sale, not asking price) for $1,200. Not sure what a nice Russian will bring, but they are not cheap anymore.

03-13-2015, 02:10 AM	#1
Mike B Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 979 Thanks: 1 Thanked 271 Times in 99 Posts	Russian Tokarev I have a very good friend who ask me to find a Russian Tokarev. I know nothing about them. It appears that neighboring countries Tokarev pistols can be purchased for about $200.00 or so. But the Russian with "CCCP" grips brings in the $2000.00 range. Is the only difference between the Russian and the Slavic nations the grips? Mike

03-13-2015, 09:38 AM	#3
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,152 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	I don't own a Tokarev, and don't want one... unless someone was giving them away... but the ones I have seen in my lifetime range from NICEto "look like they were made by convicts with files... IMHO, The Russian examples seem to be closer to the first description, rather than the second... But I agree with Doug, no way I would think they would be worth $2000... heck that is at least TWO reasonably nice Lugers! __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

03-13-2015, 09:53 AM	#4
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,398 Thanked 4,440 Times in 2,328 Posts	I have one of the 'Zastava, Yugoslavia' M57 variations of the TT-33. It has an elongated grip frame & magazine and holds an extra 7.62mm round. Very well made for a military pistol; the add-on 'safety' needs work or it will fire when you apply the safety (instructions are available on the Internet). The Zastava has several upgrades from the Russian TT-33, like a captive recoil spring. There are 9mm barrels available for the TT-33 which also fit the Zastava. I like it. Attached Thumbnails __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

03-13-2015, 06:46 PM	#6
saab-bob User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: So Cal Posts: 459 Thanks: 774 Thanked 143 Times in 87 Posts	Mike Your friend sounds like he collects stuff like I do. Get a luger,need a correct spare mag,need the correct holster,period ammo,manual,tool,sales brochure,ad infinitum! Its crazy! Bob __________________ "I think,therefore I own guns"

03-14-2015, 02:29 PM	#8
Douglas Jr. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South America Posts: 948 Thanks: 598 Thanked 584 Times in 254 Posts	I have a 1941 made TT33. The is in very nice condition which is amazing considering that it probably fought during four years in the WWII worst front. I guess it was captured by a German in the early stages of the Operation Barbarosa and later captured again by the Brazilian Expedionary Force in Italy in 1944-45. Early examples ahd their mags numbered and pistols with matching mags command a premium. Toks are very, very hard to find down here so I'm pretty much satisfied with this one (I know the holster is postwar but I'm glad with that for now). Attached Thumbnails

03-13-2015, 06:17 AM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Mechanically, yes. Early imports were required to have an added "safety", which was basically a metal clip, which could be easely removed by taking off the grip. Later imports added a factory designed safety, which is a permanent feature of the design now. Authentic Russian versions are rare in the US and therefore command a higher price, although I would be very hard pressed to spenad anywhere near $2,000 for one.

03-13-2015, 05:14 PM	#5
Mike B Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 979 Thanks: 1 Thanked 271 Times in 99 Posts	I totally agree that NO Tokarev is worth $2000.00. Take a quick look at "gun international" or some other provider. This is the asking price. I doubt very seriously they are getting that price. As far as why anyone would want one, here is his reasoning. First he is not a gun collector. He is coin dealer. When he found out that I collected Lugers he ask me to sell him a Luger at a price he could afford. He said he was trying to collect one example hand gun from each of the World War II countries. I told him he would end up with many. He said he wanted only US, Germany, England and Russia. Besides the Luger, I sold him a 1911A1 and a Webley. Now he wants a Russian. Mike

03-14-2015, 10:38 AM	#7
Desperado User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Murphy, TX (near Dallas) Posts: 38 Thanks: 16 Thanked 46 Times in 16 Posts	Tell your friend he should also get a Japanese Nambu T-14 to complete that set of "major" players in WWII. There isn't a lot of interest in the Nambu (although it is heating up) so he should be able to find a nice one in the $400 - $600 range. I bought one off this board's Trader section for that, a year or so back.

03-14-2015, 10:53 PM	#9
Olle User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,149 Thanks: 159 Thanked 663 Times in 318 Posts	Why wouldn't you want a Tokarev? It's a classic pistol, rugged as a farm implement and in a hard hitting caliber. You'd probably be better armed with a Tokarev than a 1911 (flame suit on... ). I'm still looking for a nice Russian TT-33, but have one Romanian shooter and a Chinese Type 54. I really lucked out on the T54, I found it at the local gun show where it had been sitting for two days in plain view on a table next to the entrance. I found it an hour before closing time, but thought "there's been hundreds of people walking by and nobody bought it, must be something wrong with it". I walked out without even looking closer at it, but on the way home I had second thoughts. I raced back and bought it, and after inspection I found that it was a really nice non-import with original holster. I paid $600 for it, and have seen T54s in similar condition sell (actual sale, not asking price) for $1,200. Not sure what a nice Russian will bring, but they are not cheap anymore. Attached Thumbnails