Finnish Capture Soviet Tula SVT-40 SVT40 7.62x54R Semi Auto Rifle, 1940 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2375
LSB#: 210722RD11
Make: Soviet, Tula Arsenal
Model: SVT-40, Tokarev
Serial#: Cyrillic marking, Romanized as CheD1203
Year of Manufacture: 1940
Caliber/Gauge: 7.62x54mmR (Rimmed)
Action Type: Semi-Automatic Rifle fed by Detachable Magazine (no magazine is included)
Markings: Besides a Finnish marking, every other mark on the rifle is in Cyrillic and has been romanized. The left side of the chamber ring is marked with the Finnish proof “SA” indicating the rifle was captured by the Finnish military where it entered service, an obscured proof and the Soviet serial number “CheD1203”. The top of the chamber ring is marked with the Tula Arsenal star, a faded proof and “1940”. There is a “K” in a circle, “S” in a circle and faded proofmark. The bottom of the rear sight is marked “Yu”, “Ye”, “K”, “B”, “Kh” and a faded “O”. The magazine release is marked with some faded markings and a Tula Arsenal star. The safety has a “D” and Tula star. The bottom of the trigger guard is marked with the serial number. There is a “R” proof on the buttplate and a Tula star. The left side of the base for the front sight is marked “1”, has a Tula star and a faded proof. The bottom of the bolt has the serial number and the bottom of the lever has the serial number. The top of the rear sight has a Tula star.
Barrel Length: 27” to the end of the muzzle brake.
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a dovetailed post on a ramp with a protective hood. There is also a tangent leaf rear sight with U notch which is graduated in 100s of meters from 1-15, inclusive.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The two-piece wood stock is refinished and features a semi-pistol grip, ventilated handguard, ventilated metal nose caps with sling swivel, through bolt, sling swivel on the toe of the butt and a metal buttplate. There are some scattered scratches, nicks and handling marks. Notably, there is a crack on the top of the handguard, there is a small crack coming from the rear tang of the trigger guard into the grip and there is a small crack coming from the rear end of the receiver onto the grip. The LOP is 13.5” from the trigger to the rear end of the buttplate. The buttplate has some handling wear and minor oxidation. Overall the stocks are in Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The rifling is well defined. The lands are mostly bright with some minor spots of erosion while the grooves have some erosion and fouling.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 50% of its metal finish. There are scratches, nicks, patches of surface oxidation and handling marks. There is some more notable erosion on the barrel toward the muzzle-end. There are some faded proof marks but the markings remain largely clear. The screw heads have tool marks but remain serviceable. Overall, this rifle is in Good-Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The safety remains functional. The trigger is crisp. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: None
Our Assessment: This Tula Arsenal SVT-40 is a semi-automatic rifle with detachable magazine. The rifle’s markings indicate it was made in 1940 and eventually was captured by the Finnish military, as indicated by a Finnish “SA” stamp on the left side of the chamber ring. Finland and the Soviet Union fought a brutal conflict in 1940 known as the Winter War which resulted in Pyrrhic victory for the Soviets. A year later, Finland joined the German led coalition that invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, seizing contested territory surrounding Leningrad (modern Saint Petersburg) and participating in the brutal siege of the city. The Finnish military ended up seizing thousands of SVTs during the war which it integrated into its ranks. This rifle was one of the many which was captured by the Finns. The SVT-40 itself was an influential design, prompting the Wehrmacht to introduce a similar rifle: the Gewehr 43. This SVT-40 is a bit worn out, but as a rifle which was likely captured in battle it remains in Very Good condition. The rifle does not come with a magazine. This is a WWII rifle that you do not want to miss out on!