WWII Russian SVT-40 Tokarev Tula 7.62x54R Soviet Semi-Auto Rifle 1942 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3,024
LSB#: 240124WP023
Make: Tula Arsenal, Russia (Imported by CDI)
Model: SVT-40 (Tokarev)
Serial Number: 8883 with two cyrillic characters.
Year of Manufacture: 1942, C&R
Caliber: 7.62x54R (7.62x54mm Rimmed)
Action Type: Semi Auto, Detachable Magazine
Barrel Length: Approximately 26 3/4 inches to the end of the muzzle device.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is an adjustable, hooded post. The rear sight is a U notched sliding escalator. The top edges of the receiver are grooved to accept a scope base.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece hardwood stock has a pistol grip, finger grooves, ventilated handguard, ventilated metal nose caps, through bolt, sling bar, sling eyelet, and a metal buttplate. The buttplate shows moderate oxidation throughout. The stock shows light wear from handling and storage. The wood shows some light scuff marks, light scrapes and scratches. The finish is chipped in a few spots. The LOP measures 13 ¼” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. This stock rates in about Very Good to Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original to Arsenal Rebuild
Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright and the rifling is well defined. There is light erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 7.5 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light wear from handling and storage. The metal shows several scuff marks and scratches. There is scattered erosion in a few places. The markings range from well defined to faded. The screw heads are sharp. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good to Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions Correctly. We did not fire this firearm. We have cleaned this firearm and performed a mechanic’s check but expect many will want to clean the firearm again depending on their standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with a cleaning rod and a 10 round magazine. The magazine shows light erosion, it appears to be in good working condition.
Our Assessment: The SVT-40 is a semi-automatic rifle that was used by the Soviet Union during World War II and in the post-war years. The SVT-40, also known as the Tokarev self-loading rifle, was designed by Fedor Tokarev and developed in the late 1930s. It was intended to replace the bolt-action Mosin-Nagant rifles used by the Soviet military at the time. The SVT-40 is a gas-operated, semi-automatic rifle. It uses a short-stroke gas piston system, where gas from fired cartridges is tapped off through a port in the barrel to cycle the action. The rifle fires from a detachable 10-round box magazine and chambers the 7.62x54mmR cartridge.
The SVT-40 was officially adopted by the Soviet Union in 1938 and saw extensive use during World War II. However, it was gradually replaced by the more reliable and simpler-to-produce AK-47 in the 1950s. The total production numbers for the SVT-40 are estimated to be around 1.6 million rifles. The SVT-40 played a role in the early stages of World War II, but it had some reliability issues in combat conditions. It was considered more complex and less rugged than its German counterpart, the Karabiner 98k. As a result, the Soviets eventually phased out the SVT-40 in favor of the AK-47, which became their primary infantry rifle.
This Russian SVT-40 was made in 1942 at the Izhevsk Arsenal (imported by CDI), it is in Great shape, showing light wear. This semi automatic rifle has been arsenal rebuilt and looks nice for a WWII era service rifle, it includes one 10 round magazine. Many of the markings on the metal are well defined and the bore can still put rounds down range as fast as you can pull the trigger. The markings include matching numbers on the receiver, bolt handle, trigger guard and stock. These numbers are force matched. The magazine is not matching. The SVT-40 has a unique design, distinct appearance and rich history, this well preserved Soviet era rifle would go great in any WWII, Russian, or Historical Collection. Please see our photos, good luck and happy bidding!
-Robert
