A guide for identifying Soviet SxS shotguns available in North America. PART 2. Tula SxSs.

[Horilka]

PART 2. Tula SxSs.
(for Part 1 see here)
​

Historical timeline.
1. TOZ-A (internal hammers) was a first Tula shotgun made in 1902-1940 (other sources state 1908-1912, 1922-1940). Gauges: 12, 16, 20, 24. Haven't observed them in North America.
Picture of TOZ-A (from public sources)


2. TOZ-B (external hammers) (1902-1917, 1928-1941, 1945-1957). 16ga, 20ga, custom order 24ga. Haven't seen them in North America.

Picture of TOZ-B from public sources.


3. TOZ-25 (internal hammers). Very short production time range (1963-1966). Mod 1 12ga (700mm and 720mm barrels) fewer made, Mod 2 16ga (700mm and 730mm barrels) is more common. Stock has unique two parts design which is somehow an integral part of the action, but haven't disassembled mine yet to confirm it. These are quite unicorns, I have seen only two in the wild, as I understand they were never imported by businesses, but some of them sneaked out with recent Balkan shotguns import to Canada.

Pictures of TOZ-25 from author's collection.

Note TOZ-25 markings



4. TOZ-BM (1957-1969) - 16ga, 20ga, 700mm to 720mm. Based on Model B, it has visually different lock of forend. Model B has one if front, and BM is on the bottom of the forend. Over the course pf productions there were some visually noticeable changes including in the shape of the hammers. In general barrels were not chrome-lines, however see TOZ-63 description for exceptions.

Pictures of TOZ-BM from author's collection.

Note "BM-16" markings.



5. TsKIB (ЦКИБ) was a workshop specializing in high grade finish of TOZ-B and TOZ-BM. They were sourcing these models at different stages of manufacturing and finishing them into custom grade shotguns under their own brand.

 

[Horilka]

6. TOZ-63 (1964-1968, probably into early 1970x) - 16ga (700mm - 720mm), 20ga (675mm - 720mm). Essentially an evolution of TOZ-BM, visually retains same look, with chrome lined barrels and different technology of joining the barrels. After the start of Model 63 manufacturing existing production of Model BM also started using chromed barrels. So the only way to tell is by markings on the barrels (which are not always present) and year of manufacture.

Pictures of TOZ-63 from author's collection

Note TOZ-63 markings on 16ga gun.


Note the absence of model markings on TOZ-63 20ga gun.


7. TOZ-66 (1968-1974) was the 12ga evolution of TOZ-63. 510mm, 700mm-725mm.

Pictures of TOZ-66 from author's collection

Notice TOZ-66 markings

 

[Horilka]

8. TOZ-54 (1974-1978) (12ga with 700-720mm - most common variant, 16ga with 700-720mm, 20ga with 660-675mm, 28ga with 620-675mm, and 32ga with 620-675mm) was an attempt to modernize the look of the TOZ-66. I would call it 1950 modern style with ugly looking hammers and angled forend shape. This is the last in timeline model that can be found in North America.

Pictures of TOZ-54 from author's collection.

Note TOZ-54-12 markings



9. TOZ-80 was a model that took off only in 1988, was an attempt to revive classic forms of TOZ-66 after questionable design of TOZ-54. Made in very few numbers of custom option, complete ceased production in 1990. Haven't seen them here.

Picture of TOZ-80 from public sources.

Dating of TOZ shotguns.​

This is actually very easy. Look at the serial on the flats. Serials on TOZ guns had a format of [A]N[###x], where A is one or two letter prefix, N signifies "number" followed by 4 or 5 digit serial. Prefix defines the year of manufacture. For example TN12345 would mean a gun made in 1976.
In front of prefix there could be letter on higher grade guns. "У" meaning "better quality (grade)", "C" - "souvenir (grade)" (even better), "Х" - "artistic (grade)" and "Ш" - "one of a kind (grade)".

А-1966
В-1967
Г-1968
Д-1969
Е-1970
К-1971
М-1972
Н-1973
Р-1974
С-1975
Т-1976
И-1977
Ф-1978
Х-1979
Я-1980
АА-1981
АБ-1982
АВ-1983

Most common markings on TOZ SxSs:


Third column shows variants of TOZ markings.
- Column 6 is variants of specifying calibre and chamber length.
- 7th and 8th are choke markings: ЧОК = Full (usually 1mm constriction), ЦИЛ = Cylinder, П-ЧОК (usually 0.5mm) = Improved.
- 9th ("У" in circle) is test proof with higher charge (over pressure test)
- 10th ("K" in circle) is accuracy + group test
- 11th is types of powder test
- 12th is maximum pressure in Atmospheres
- 13th (stylized O.T.K.) - quality control
- 14th ("Бум") - designed for paper shell


Well, I hope it was helpful. Like the post and leave a comment, that would be the best thanks I would expect.

 

[Horilka]

reserved 4

 

[Horilka]

reserved 5

 

[iron cat]

I know that the Toz shotguns have a reputation for being very durable, but I have always found them a tad on the heavy side so have never really pursued them as a hunting shotgun.
I should grab an O/U maybe and try it out as a loaner for the trap range
Cat