Russian Tula SVT-40 Semi-Auto Rifle 7.62x54r WWII Soviet Union 1942 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3,125.00
LSB#: LSB250917GD007
Make: Tula Arsenal, Russia
Model: SVT-40
Serial Number: NV4758
Year of Manufacture: 1942
Caliber: 7.62x54r
Action Type: Semi-Auto, Fed by Detachable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver at the barrel chamber is marked with Cyrillic “NV” and “4758”. The top of the receiver at the chamber is marked with “1942” and several proof marks including the Tula factory star, the Soviet Arsenal refurbishment marker, and other proof marks. All serialized parts are matched to the receiver. The magazine is non matched and has a Finnish capture mark. The bayonet is non-matched to the rifle.
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” notched sliding sight escalator marked 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 pressure dents, scratches, chips, and some moderate chips throughout. The forend has a large crack and the wrist has two cracks. Overall the stock rates in Good + condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: 1x 10rd magazine in Fair condition. This mag has several spots of thinning and patina.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original to Factory Refurbishment
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is faint erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 94% of its metal finish. There are light spots of thinning, scratches, and small nicks throughout. There is light patina throughout. The action has light to moderate 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 Very Good condition. The bayonet is in 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 under the barrel and into the forend, one 10rd magazine, a canvas sling, and a non-serial number matching SVT-40 bayonet. Though non-matching, this is a very scarce original bayonet.
Our Assessment: The Soviet SVT-40 (Samozaryadnaya Vintovka Tokareva, 1940) stands as one of the most ambitious semi-automatic service rifles of World War II, offering a leap forward in firepower for the Red Army during a period of tremendous conflict and upheaval. Designed by Fedor Tokarev and adopted to modernize the Red Army’s infantry rifle lineup, the SVT-40 featured a gas-operated, short-stroke piston design, 10-round detachable magazine, and lightweight profile for its class. It was highly advanced for its time—lighter and more streamlined than many of its counterparts—and chambered in the powerful 7.62x54R cartridge. Despite being overshadowed in numbers by the simpler Mosin-Nagant, the SVT-40 saw extensive use on the Eastern Front and left a significant legacy. This 1942-dated example was produced at the Tula Arsenal, one of the USSR’s premier arms factories, and bears wartime markings along with the Soviet arsenal refurbishment stamp. All visible serial numbers are matching to the receiver, including the bolt, trigger group, and rear sight base—an uncommon and desirable trait among wartime SVTs. The magazine is mismatched and marked with a Finnish capture stamp, adding historical depth and indicating its use during the Continuation War. The metal retains about 94% of its arsenal-refinished blued finish, with honest wear, light patina, and some thinning. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and only faint erosion, earning a 8.5/10 rating in this writer’s opinion. The wood shows signs of combat use and later service life with a large crack in the forend, two cracks at the wrist, and scattered dings and chips—yet remains structurally sound and correct in configuration.
This SVT-40 is a compelling piece for collectors of Soviet arms, Finnish captures, or WWII semi-autos. It brings with it both battlefield character and Cold War era preservation, complete with cleaning rod, canvas sling, a 10-round magazine, and a non-matching but scarce original bayonet. Mechanically sound and rich in historical appeal, it represents a pivotal chapter in Soviet small arms development and offers a unique addition to any military surplus collection. -R.E.
