The Maxim-Tokarev was a Russian light machine gun based on the Maxim M1910. Following WWI, the Soviet Army started developing a machine gun, and the 7.62mm Maxim-Tokarev and Maxim Kalashnikov are examples of their initial efforts.
Structure[]
This was an interim light machine gun modification, built along the lines of the German IMG 08/18 light machine gun. The water jacket was discarded and replaced by a thin perforated steel jacket, and the barrel was shortened and lightened. The barrel could be changed more or less quickly in the field. Spade grips were replaced with a rifle-type stock and the thumb-trigger was replaced by a rifle-type trigger. A folding bipod was attached to the barrel jacket.
The feed system was the same as on Maxim M1910 guns, except the standard belt capacity was reduced to 100 rounds. 100-round belts were usually carried in separate drum-style containers.
More than 3,500 Maxim-Tokarev guns were produced by Tula Arms factory in 1926-27; 3,550 were later sold to Republican Spain.