Quote:
Originally Posted by haggis
John,
What I have been unable to determine is when the safety was introduced. Your research says 1959. May I ask where you learned that date?
Regards,
Buck
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Buck,
I've spent most of today browsing the various forums relating to Tokarevs in general and this variation in particular. Consensus is that the safety was introduced a couple years after adoption of the M57, about a year or so after actual production began (1958). This would put the introduction of the M57 safety at approximately 1959. Prefixed serial numbers began at about the same time, starting with the letter "A". An upgraded letter was used for each successive year, enabling me to date my pistol with an "N" prefixed serial number at about 1971.
Again, these are approximate dates, but are the best I have for now.
BTW, that thumb safety works very well, rotating a block behind the sear to keep it from moving, and locking the slide. It sure beats other "add on" safety gimmicks I've seen. Also, it does not interfere with the removable sear/hammer mechanism, so that feature is still intact.
Best,
John