POTD: Before the TT-33 – The Russian Tula-Korovin Pistol
Sam.S 06.12.23
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have an ugly duckling of a Russian small arm. This is the Tula-Korovin. These hold a significant place in the history of Russian firearms design, thanks to the ingenuity of Sergei Korovin. Expelled from the Kharkov Technical Institute in 1905, Korovin’s journey took him to the Belgian arms industry before he returned to Russia during World War One. Despite initial setbacks, he joined the Tula Arsenal in 1920 and went on to create the Tula-Korovin, the first semi-automatic pistol developed in the Soviet Union, in 1926. This pioneering firearm showcased Korovin’s engineering skills and set the stage for the introduction of other renowned Soviet firearms like the TT-33. Additionally, Sergei designed a .25 ACP blowback pistol, manufactured from 1927 to 1935, which achieved immense popularity with over half a million units produced. These achievements cement Korovin’s legacy as a significant contributor to the development of Russian firearms.
“Manufacturer: Tula-KorovinModel: Semi-AutomaticType: PistolGauge: 6.35 mm autoBarrel: 2 1/2 inch roundFinish: blueGrip: walnut”
Lot 2601: Eight European Semi-Automatic Pistols. (n.d.-u). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved June 11, 2023, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/1035/2601/eight-european-semiautomatic-pistols.
