Russian Tula SVT-40 Semi-Auto Rifle 7.62x54r WWII Soviet Union 1940 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,625.00
LSB#: LSB260608DS002
Make: Tula Arsenal, Russia
Model: SVT-40
Serial Number: CHS4605
Year of Manufacture: 1940 / 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 “CHS 4605”. The top of the receiver at the chamber is marked with “1940” and several proof marks including the Tula factory star, the Soviet Arsenal refurbishment marker, and other proof marks. The magazine is electropenciled in “5887”. The trigger guard and stock are marked “4605”. The bolt and bolt carrier are marked “4603”. The gas piston is marked “4609”.
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.
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 upper forend has cracks at the rear. 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 – Very 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 faint erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 7.5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish. The balance of finish shows handling and storage wear. There are scratches and light freckling throughout. The bolt has turned to a plum color. There is freckling on the upper metal handguard. The buttplate has light thinning. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tooled and pins are mostly unmarred. The markings are worn and blurry in spots. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good Plus condition.
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, and one nonmatching 10-round magazine.
Our Assessment: The Soviet SVT-40 was Fedor Tokarev’s improved self-loading rifle adopted in 1940 as a lighter and more refined successor to the SVT-38. Intended to increase the firepower of the Red Army infantryman, the SVT-40 combined the powerful 7.62x54R cartridge with a short-stroke gas-piston system, tilting bolt, adjustable gas system, detachable 10-round magazine, and distinctive muzzle brake. This Tula example dates to 1940, the first year of SVT-40 production, giving it particular interest as an early example of one of the Soviet Union’s most recognizable World War II self-loading rifles. It subsequently underwent Soviet arsenal refurbishment and retains matching-numbered stock and trigger guard components, while the bolt, bolt carrier, gas piston, and magazine are mismatched.
This rifle retains approximately 96% of its arsenal-refurbished blue finish with scratches, light freckling, handling and storage wear, thinning at the buttplate, and a plum-colored bolt assembly. The wood furniture remains in Good-Very Good condition with scratches, compression marks, scattered finish loss, and cracks at the rear of the upper handguard but no chips. The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling and only faint erosion, rating 7.5/10 in this writer’s opinion. The action functions correctly, though we did not fire this rifle. It includes one nonmatching 10-round magazine, cleaning rod, and canvas sling. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -N.P