In 1923 GAU emergency program was initiated for equipping the Red army with a light machine gun chambered for the domestic 7.62×54mmR.

[3] Of the 2,500 Maxim–Tokarev guns were produced by Tula arms factory (TOZ) in 1926–27; 1,400 were supplied to China between 1938 and 1939 in the Sino-Soviet Aid Program.

[4] The rest were sent to the Republican forces during the Spanish Civil War[5] It was replaced in Soviet service by the much lighter DP.

[6] A US Army analysis mentions that "Tokarev was doubtless inspired by both the German Parabellum and the British Vickers.

[1] The canvas-belt feed system was the same as on PM M1910 guns, except the standard belt capacity was reduced to 100 rounds.