Yugoslavian M 57 Tokarev Pistol Crests A-P

[72 usmc]

Yugoslavian M57 Tokareva Pistol Crest Types (T33)
The old SRF link from the last saved version in the Wayback Machine is dated 2 July 2016. This is an old lost post that I started on 3 July 2010 when I had Todd from Family select some special mint examples for purchase. Shown below is a link to the PDF - goggle version of the 2 July 2016 last saved Wayback version on the original SRF. Please note that the old version is no longer of much value due to lost photos and broken links. I am going to redo, update, and re edit this post by listing examples of M57 crests by letter codes A-P and show the T and sterile receiver pistols. I will use views of my pistols, photos from the original posts, as well as Timbuktu"s pistols crest. The source will be listed. I will then search the web for photo examples of any missing codes I do not have access to. I will use a post for each known code A-J, M N P, T and sterile crest pistols. While most M57s seem to have prefix codes, Timbuktu has some M57s with suffix codes. In the original post as I found a new crest type, I called them the first, second, third ... up to 10th versions for each different crest type I encounter. In the new version I am organizing the crest photos by prefix or suffix, but I will add which photo identified each of the 10 different M57 crest types in the original post.

On page 234 in Serbian & Yugoslav Mauser Rifles by Branko Bogdanovic, (2005), he shows 3 different crests found on Mauser rifles: the early DFJ crest of 1945, found on some Yugo capture, German K98k rifles; the FNRJ crest- (1945-1963), found on the rebuilt K98k, 98/48, M24/47, M48, M48A; and the SFRJ crest (1963-1992). But this is only three different versions of the Yugo National Coat of Arms. Further research finds more variety is also present in Yugo Mauser crests, see nothernug's comment-interesting research: http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread. ... d-markings

Likewise the M57 Yugo Tokarev pistol also exhibits more variations in their crest applications. I hope to post a summary of the 9-10 different M57 crests- just one clear photo of each crest type identified at a later date. Note, the mods do not want links to other forums, but Gunboards has a M57 serial number inventory. Do google search for: "Yugo M57 Tokarev Survey".

Our former mod Charles posted this list on the original SRF post:

The mupples date sequence for M57s is one of the following:

1957 __ __ (5 torch crests only)
1958 A- __
1959 B- A-
1960 C- B-
1961 D- C-
1962 E- D-
1963 F- E- (5 or 6 torch crests)
1964 G- F- (6 torch crests only)
1965...

Note A code and B code M57 pistols that I have observed are serial numbers with suffix codes. All others seem to have prefix codes.
Here is a reference link: History Of The Zastava M57
http://zastavam57.com

Atop the slide, directly ahead of the rear sight is the Yugoslavian crest or emblem. Several different styles of this emblem are known to exist on the M-57, with some styles dependent on the date of manufacturer. All of the crests that I have examined have the date of November 29, 1943 on them. The emblem was created by Dorde Andrejevic-Kun, an artist from the capital city of Belgrade in 1943. The emblem for socialist Yugoslavia consisted of five torches that were burning together as a single flame being surrounded by wheat. This represented the unity and brotherhood of the five nations of Yugoslavia which included, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia,and Slovenia, but left out the ethnic Muslims. Then in 1963, the name of the country was changed to the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the crest was redesigned with six torches to represent the six Yugoslavian federal republics, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia.

Determining the year a Zastava M57 was manufactured can be estimated by a few details. The serial number, the crest on top of the slide and the lettering around the star on the grip. The serial number will most likely consist of a letter prefix followed by a dash and some numbers.

The date sequence is one of the following:

1957 - No Prefix, 5 torch crests only
1958 - A Prefix
1959 - A and B Prefix
1960 - B and C Prefix
1961 - C and D Prefix
1962 - D and E Prefix
1963 - E and F Prefix, 5 or 6 torch crests
1964 - F and G Prefix, 6 torch crests only
1965...

The lettering around the star on the grip changed from FNRJ to SFRJ in 1963.

FNRJ = Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia = 1946-1963
SFRJ = Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia = 1963-1992 (Socijalisticka Federativna Republika Jugoslavija)

Link to original SRF post 2 July 2016
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2BZ02 ... sp=sharing

source orig post-Dan's Ammo

source AIM 2013

[72 usmc]

M57 A code crests

We need some examples of the A code. Please post a photo so I can put it here.
Maybe we can show an example of an A prefix pistol if they exist and the A suffix pistol each with the crest, overview of the pistol showing a serial number code.

[72 usmc]

M57 B code crests

from orig post, 743x suffix B, (743XB) mine

[72 usmc]

M57 C code crests

Jeff M, orig post, C287xx. Called a 10th version of a m57 crest type. There are reported C prefix M57s with crest types of the 4th version.

[72 usmc]

M57 D code crests
Orig post, D prefix D42843, ptrthg8, SOG. Called the 2nd version crest in the original post.

This second photo is a pistol from Todd, D prefix, serial? mine

Screen shot, Ron John, D3414X, Notice different crest than the above specimens.

Screen Shot Polish Ron D code D3414x.png (127.57 KiB) Viewed 6595 times

[72 usmc]

M57 E code crests

Ron John, narrow flame version, E prefix from early SOG, Crest is similar to I 22xxx.

[72 usmc]

M57 F code crests

Polish Ron, F616xx, orig post . Called the 8th version of crest variation,

Kryptonic Ron, orig post, F 85203, The same crest as Polish Rons.

kryptonic ron F85203 .jpg (54.49 KiB) Viewed 6632 times

[72 usmc]

M57 G code crests

We need some examples of a G code Crest Please post a pic so I can add it

This is a treat. A M57-G code in original condition lacking the add on import safety and import marks, G8332X. Take a look at M67s post for a sooooo original specimen. Fantastic addition.

M67 no safety orig condition G8332x.jpeg (55.46 KiB) Viewed 6558 times

[72 usmc]

M57 H code crests

Mine, orig post, H10306x, Todd 6. Called the 9th version of crest type encountered.

orig post, screen shot, orig 3 crest photo. Ron John, H214XX

Screen Shot H214xx ron John .png (298.95 KiB) Viewed 6591 times

[72 usmc]

M57 I code crests

Orig post, dfassbender photo, I prefix serial # ? Called the 1st version of a crest on a M57 found/listed in the original post.

Mine, orig post, I11302X SOG Called the 6th version of crest encountered

mine, orig post, I22505X from Todd. Called the 7th version of crest encountered.

orig post , ptrthgr8, I22513x, SOG. Called the 4th version of the crest encountered.

[72 usmc]

M57 J code crests

On line photo, helpifucan, J 127XX

on line, Bernthegate, Wideners, J1311XXC Slightly different crest than helpifucan's M57

J1311XX Wideners Bernthegate on line.jpg (9.2 KiB) Viewed 6589 times

[72 usmc]

M57 K code
One Known K code example . No L codes that I have seen???
1939mosin, orig post, a hard to find K code, K134xx, information supplied by Byhisello. It seems the J and H codes have similar crest types.

The H code M57 in the lower photo showing 3 crests, the central crest in the lower photo H2141xx, is similar to the K code show in the upper photo.

[72 usmc]

M57 M code crests

orig post, camarox00, M prefix serial number ?

[72 usmc]

M57 N code crests

on line, Mark, N25539X

on line N255392 m57 mark .jpg (34.67 KiB) Viewed 6582 times

s&w on line, Paladin85, N2602X

Classic, screen shot, N25539x

Screen Shot Classic N25539X m57 .png (258.37 KiB) Viewed 6570 times

[72 usmc]

M57 P code crests

orig post, screen shot, Ron John 3 crest photo P 2673XX. See first lower photo, sort of distorted from the 3 crest view photo.

Screen Shot 2P code P2673XX Ron John.png (313.59 KiB) Viewed 6652 times

Same as above but P2675XX, speedicut photo, on line source. Serial numbers are close in production.

P code P2675xx speedicut orig post .jpg (5.53 KiB) Viewed 6579 times