The article explores the origins of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The structure of the Soviet Criminal Code of the RSFSR, adopted after the approval of the all-Union criminal legislation (Criminal Code of the RSFSR of 1926), is examined. The evolution of the views of the legislator on certain elements of crimes, the change in ideas about their place in the Special Part of Criminal Law is illustrated. A systematic analysis of every tenth chapter, included in the Special Part of the Criminal Code of the RSFSR of 1926 (Special Section of the Criminal Code), is carried out. The paper also studies the specific features of articles, their sanctions, and notes. The role of article notes is defined. The sanctions of articles, used in the Special Part of the Criminal Code of the RSFSR of 1926, are classified. The problems of structuring of the Special Part of the Criminal Code of the RSFSR of 1926 (Special Section of the Criminal Code) are considered for the purposes of a historical lesson and the formation of a modern view of Soviet criminal law.