Deactivated WW2 Russian M1895 Nagant Revolver dated 1944

This is a Second World War dated Russian M1895 Nagant revolver. Although these revolvers were produced in significant numbers during the war this particular example is one of the more unusual ones. Dated 1944, it was made at the Tula Arsenal and marked with a hammer within the star symbol. This marking was discontinued in the 1920s and replaced with an arrow. However during Operation Barbarossa when Nazi forces invaded Russia the Tula (Factory No.314) was hastily packed up and moved in late 1941 to avoid capture by the Germans. This Soviet evacuation was chaotic and messy with machinery going missing and some being sent to other manufactures. After German forces had been pushed back and started to retreat from the city of Tula the factory was reopened in early 1942 and renamed factory (No.536) using new or scavenged machinery. Both factories 314 & 536 continued to use the Arrow & Star logo on weapons but only the Nagant revolvers had a new logo with the hammer. 1944 saw very few revolvers produced, estimates are believed to be in low thousands with just over 1500 made in 1945. This example has matching numbers to frame and cylinders and comes with a holster, lanyard cord and cleaning rod. Deactivated with a working action.