Russian Tula SVT-40 Semi-Auto Rifle 7.62x54r WWII Soviet Union 1941 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3,057.77
LSB#: LSB260507DH034
Make: Tula Arsenal, Russia
Model: SVT-40
Serial Number: GL2266
Year of Manufacture: 1941 / C&R
Caliber: 7.62x54r
Action Type: Gas-Operated, Semi-Automatic, Tilting Bolt, Fed by a Detachable 10-Round Box Magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver at the barrel chamber is marked with Cyrillic “GL” and “2266”. The top of the receiver at the chamber is marked with “1941” and several proof marks including the Tula factory star, the Soviet Arsenal refurbishment marker, and other proof marks. The magazine is electropenciled in “HA4316” and has crossed out numbers “2 / 2260” and “2 / X32003”. The trigger guard and stock are marked “GL2266”. The bolt and bolt carrier are marked “GL2266”. The gas piston is marked “2266”. The bayonet is marked “3307”.
Barrel Length: 24” before muzzle brake, 26.75” after muzzle brake
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a hooded post. The rear sight is a U-notch tangent sight with a sliding escalator graduated from 1-15. The receiver is fitted with a scope mount and NcStar 2-6×28 scope with a standard duplex reticle and clear sight picture.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a two-piece wood set with a metal vented handguard cap & sling loop w/ cleaning rod, finger grooves, through bolt, semi-pistol grip, straight comb, sling loop, and steel buttplate. There are scratches and compression marks throughout. There are spots of furniture finish loss throughout. The forend has a large crack. There are no chips. The LOP measures 13″ 1/8 from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall the stock rates in about Good condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: 1x 10rd magazine in about Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original to Factory Refurbishment
Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright and the rifling is sharp. There is light erosion in the bore. There is light pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. The balance of finish shows handling and storage wear. There are scratches and light corrosion thinning throughout. The bolt and scope mount have turned to a plum color. There is faint pitting under the arsenal refurbished finish. The screw heads are lightly tooled and pins are mostly unmarred. The markings are worn and blurry in spots. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition. The bayonet is in about Very Good condition with light handling wear.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with an installed cleaning rod, canvas sling, nonmatching bayonet, and one nonmatching 10-round magazine.
Our Assessment: The SVT-40 was Fedor Tokarev’s improved semi-automatic service rifle, developed from the earlier SVT-38 and placed into production in 1940. Chambered in 7.62x54R, it uses a gas-operated, short-stroke piston system with a tilting bolt and detachable 10-round magazine. The Soviet Union intended the SVT to substantially increase the semi-automatic firepower of its infantry, but the enormous losses and manufacturing pressures following the German invasion forced greater reliance on the simpler Mosin-Nagant. Tula was a principal producer of the SVT-40, and 1941 represents an especially significant wartime production year as fighting eventually threatened Tula itself and disrupted production. This 1941 Tula rifle has undergone a Soviet arsenal refurbishment and retains numerous matching-numbered components as described, including the stock, trigger guard, bolt, bolt carrier, and gas piston. The magazine and included bayonet are nonmatching, and the rifle is currently fitted with a modern NcStar 2-6×28 optic.
This rifle rates in about Good overall condition. It retains approximately 95% of its arsenal-refurbished metal finish, with scattered scratches, light corrosion and thinning, areas of faint pitting beneath the refurbishment finish, and plum coloration on the bolt and scope mount. The wood rates in Good condition with scratches, compression marks, scattered finish loss, and a large crack in the forend. The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling, light erosion, and light pitting, rating 6/10 in this writer’s opinion. The action functions correctly, though the rifle was not test fired. It comes with its cleaning rod, canvas sling, nonmatching bayonet, one nonmatching 10-round magazine, and the installed NcStar scope. Altogether, this is an appealing example of one of the Soviet Union’s most distinctive WWII service rifles, retaining strong visual character from its wartime manufacture and later arsenal refurbishment. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -N.P