Tokarev TT-30

[BrodieBartfast]

Hello folks.

This was the second deact I ever bought, and one of only two pistols that I own. World Wide Arms, a popular deact seller here in the UK, were selling them in bulk. The idea was that you paid a set price, and they sent you one piece out of their stock. A luck of the draw, so to speak. Having seen other pistols that came out of this stock, I feel I was very lucky.
A TT-30, the predecessor of the better-known TT-33. Most easily identifiable by the removable section on the back of the grip strap. This part is serial numbered separately, and on mine matches the lower part of the weapon. The slide is dated to the same year - 1935 - but has a slightly lower serial number. Every piece is stamped with a Soviet star.
The finish appears original to the weapon, and it has its original 'CCCP' grips. Being a pre-EU spec deact, it can be fully stripped down, although I haven't tried. The thing is covered in markings which I can't identify.
A nice piece, and one that has pride of place on the wall with my other Soviet firearms.

Regards, B.B.

[Gunny Hartmann]

I've shot a few rounds out of the later TT33 in Krakow, that 7.62×25mm cartridge is quite a hot round!....

[BrodieBartfast]

That's why the Russians preferred it, I believe. Did a better job of penetrating thick winter clothing than the German pistols did.

B.B.

[MAP]

Nice piece.

I remember when these flooded the US market (fully functional) back in the 80's. You could pick one up for next to nothing. Most were post war but every now and then you could find a real gem...too bad I never bought one

[BrodieBartfast]

Don't they have to be fitted with an additional manual safety to be sold on the US market?

B.B.

[RH1941]

I have a nice bring back from Vietnam great pistol to shoot

[AZPhil]

Don't they have to be fitted with an additional manual safety to be sold on the US market?

B.B.

Yes the current imports do but not the ones that were imported in the 80's

Semper Fi
Phil

[MAP]

Yes the current imports do but not the ones that were imported in the 80's

Semper Fi
Phil

ahhh...the golden 80's....life was so much simpler then...and the music was better as well.

[AZPhil]

Those were the good ole day's !! Pre Norinco ban days!!

Semper Fi

Phil

[sitges1990]

Another nice pick up for you B.B. The department I work for tested the 7.62X25 years ago. It would go through the old vests but not the newer IIa. I think it was the metal core 93 grain that penetrated older vests. Like you said Gunny, super hot round for sure.

Jay