WWII Soviet Tula SVT40 SVT-40 7.62x54R 27″ Semi-Automatic Rifle 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3075
LSB#: 220111MZ005
Make: Soviet, Tula Arsenal Factory No. 314 NKV
Model: SVT-40
Serial#: The original Cyrillic serial number is ML242; The importer’s serial number is T15568
Year of Manufacture: 1943
Caliber: 7.62x54mmR
Action Type: Semi-Automatic Rifle fed by a Detachable Magazine
Markings: All the following markings are in Cyrillic and have been Romanized. The top of the chamber ring is marked “1943” under a star (indicating the year of manufacture) and that rifle was manufactured at Tula. There is also a post-WWII refurbishment mark on the top of the chamber ring. The left side of the chamber ring features the original serial number “ML242”, and it has a faded proof marking. The right side of the chamber ring is marked with faded proof marks. The bolt handle is marked with the serial number which has been applied with an electric pencil. The bottom of the bolt, visible through the chamber, also has the serial number which was applied by an electric pencil. The trigger guard features the serial number which has been stamped, a Tula proof and a faded proof. The buttplate features a Tula proof mark. The front sight is marked with a faded proof mark and a Tula proof. The cleaning rod has a arsenal refurbishment marking. The tangent leaf rear sight is with a Tula proof on the leaf itself and its base in addition to some faded markings. The left side of the butt is marked with the serial number, “V” and “G” inside a circle. The left side of the forend, around the finger groove, is marked “Sh” and “O”. The bottom fo the grip is marked “G” and “3”. The right side of the butt is marked “V”, “P” in a circle, “S” in a circle, “D” in a circle, “S” in a circle and has a few more faded proof marks. The left side of the action is marked in English with the importer’s markings: the serial number “T15568” and “SVT 1940 7.62X54R MADE IN RUSSIA CDI SWAN VT”.
Barrel Length: 27”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a dovetailed post on a ramp with a protective hood. The rear sight is a tangent leaf with a “U”-notch which is graduated in meters 1-15, inclusive.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stocks are 4-pieces featuring ventilated metal upper and lower piston covers, a wood ventilated handguard, a wood forend and butt, a barrel band with a sling swivel on the left side, finger grooves on the forend, a semi-pistol grip, slightly curved comb, sling swivel on the belly and metal buttplate. The stocks have some handling marks, scratches, nicks and scuffs. Notably, the finger groove on the left side has a patch repair, there is a patch repair on the right side of the chamber, a patch repair at the top of the right finger groove and some scattered patches of finish loss. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP is 13.25” from the trigger to the rear end of the buttplate. The buttplate has some finish loss around its leading edges, a patch of oxidation at the top and more general handling marks. Overall, the arsenal refurbished stocks are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original to Arsenal Refurbishment
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is scattered light erosion concentrated in the grooves.
Overall Condition: The rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. There are some light handling marks, scuffs and nicks on the metal parts of the rifle. The bolt has developed a brown hue, a result from the refurbishment done at a Soviet repair depot. Some proof marks have faded but the majority of the markings are clear. The screwheads are serviceable. Overall, this arsenal refurbished rifle is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: The rifle comes with a single detachable box magazine. The magazine has a Tula proof at the bottom and the left side features the serial number “4633” and is not serial matched. The magazine has some light handling marks but it remains in Very Good condition. The rifle also has an attached aftermarket green canvas sling with brown leather attachments. The sling has some light handling marks but it remains in Fine condition. Finally there is a bayonet with a scabbard included with the rifle. The bayonet is not serial matched and has Tula markings. There are some light handling marks on the bayonet and the inside of the scabbard is coated in cosmoline. Overall, the bayonet and its scabbard are in Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: This Tula Arsenal, Factory No. 314 NKV, manufactured SVT-40 is a semi-automatic rifle that is fed by a detachable magazine which takes 7.62x54mmR rounds. The SAMOZARYaDNAYa VINTOVKA TOKARYeVA OBRAZTsA 1940 GODA (self-loading rifle Tokarev model 1940) or SVT-40 was designed by Fyodor Vasilievich Tokarev, one of the preeminent Soviet weapon designers. The precursor to the SVT-40 was the SVT-38 which proved unpopular among Soviet soldiers during the Winter War of 1940. The design was improved and by 1941 the SVT-40 began to enter service. The semi-automatic rifle saw extensive use by the Red Army during WWII across all fronts. The rifle proved its worth in the hands of some of the most accomplished snipers to emerge from the war. The highest scoring female sniper in history, Lyudmila Mikhailovna Pavlichenko, scored 309 kills primarily using the SVT-40 (please note, this rifle is not a sniper variant of the SVT-40). The SVT-40 was retired from active service in the Soviet Armed Forces following the end of WWII, and they were eventually sold as hunting rifles in the Soviet Union. This rifle is an aesthetically pleasing and mechanically sound WWII era SVT-40. It is one WWII-vintage rifle you do not want to miss out on.