The phrase most directly refers to the descriptive heading used for the book "Soviet Pistols" by Leroy Thompson , which is subtitled Tokarev, Makarov, Stechkin and others .
This publication, often found on sites like eBay and AbeBooks, provides a technical and historical overview of the sidearms that defined the Eastern Bloc. Leroy Thompson.
It was the primary service pistol for the Soviet Armed Forces from the early 1930s through World War II.
Developed in the late 1920s, it was heavily influenced by John Browning’s designs (specifically the Colt M1911) but simplified for mass Soviet production.
With over 1.7 million units produced in the USSR alone, it became one of the most common firearms in the world.