Tokarev SVT40

[PaulR]

Does anyone know anything about the SVT40? I have seen a photo or two showing German Soldiers using them. Were they actually distributed to the troops as surplus captured weapons? How much are they going for?

I have recently aquired one with a sharp bore, mis-matched numbers, Soviet markings along with an SA on the receiver. It has a Mosin Nagant sling and does not have an import mark. The manufator's code is an arrow with an oval around it(I have not been able to find any related web site that shows this mark). Finish is about 90% and has one marked mag.

I am not able to post photos for now.

Thanks
Paul

[tankdriver]

Does anyone know anything about the SVT40? I have seen a photo or two showing German Soldiers using them. Were they actually distributed to the troops as surplus captured weapons? How much are they going for?

I have recently aquired one with a sharp bore, mis-matched numbers, Soviet markings along with an SA on the receiver. It has a Mosin Nagant sling and does not have an import mark. The manufator's code is an arrow with an oval around it(I have not been able to find any related web site that shows this mark). Finish is about 90% and has one marked mag.

I am not able to post photos for now.

Thanks
Paul

OK here we go....
1 Yes the Germans used them when they could get them.
2 Some were officially issued as weapons, most were just picked up and used.
3 Cost apx 450.00 mis-matched import to 2,500 up for marked sniper
4 SA is Finish Capture marks
5 The oval with the arrow is the Kovrov arsenal
6 Here is a link to all things Russian Rifles.

http://www.mosin-nagant.net/

7 here is the link for SVTs

SVTs

Hope this helps

[PaulR]

Tankdriver...

Thank you for the web sites. They were a great source of information. How reliable were these weapons? Were they prone to malfunction or breakage like the G43? I did read that the gas system of the G43 was based off of that of the SVT40 after the dismal failure of the G41. I cannot wait to return home from deployment to share photos with you all. . I do miss my collections.

I also see for the first time, the aresnal mark that is on my rifle... Kovrov. The fact that they only made SVT40's for a year(or maybe even less) adds a little to the rifle.

I am suprised at the low cost of these rifles...especially in this day in age when anything assocciated with ww2 is in such high demane!! I guess that they are not that collectable yet.

Thanks again for your input.

Very respectfully
Paul R.

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

Thank you for the web sites. They were a great source of information. How reliable were these weapons? Were they prone to malfunction or breakage like the G43? I did read that the gas system of the G43 was based off of that of the SVT40 after the dismal failure of the G41. I cannot wait to return home from deployment to share photos with you all. . I do miss my collections.

I also see for the first time, the aresnal mark that is on my rifle... Kovrov. The fact that they only made SVT40's for a year(or maybe even less) adds a little to the rifle.

I am suprised at the low cost of these rifles...especially in this day in age when anything assocciated with ww2 is in such high demane!! I guess that they are not that collectable yet.

Thanks again for your input.

Very respectfully
Paul R.

Hi Paul,
First of all thanks for serving, I know a lot of Americans DO appreciate it! regardless of what the damn media says.
I can tell you a little about the Tokarovs. I have owned and shot several over the years. They are very accurate when teamed with the right ammunition. The yellow tipped so called (accelerated round) is probably one of the best rounds for this rifle.
They are not however as accurate as the sniper Moisin Nagant with PU scope. Sniper versions of the SVT-40 are more accurate, obviously because of the scope.
I think one big downfall of the tokarov is the carbon build up in the gas chamber. They must be cleaned frequently, and they are kind of a pain in the ass IMO to dissasemble.
I have heard that the Soviets only issued these rifles to NCO's during the war, because the common private was not capable of adjusting the little gas valve in extreme conditions. I have shot these rifles in below zero conditions and never had a problem. Perhaps another forum member more knowledgeble than I can elaborate!
IMO the handguard is a little bit to fragile for a combat rifle, I have heard that there were problems with these breaking in the winter.
They are very collectable now in the states. Maybe not so much as the Axis counterparts, but in a few years I am sure the prices will greatly increase. A number of importers brought thousands of these into the country a few years back, and there are many variations around. Jeff A

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Paul, I look forwards to seeing your pics once you return home from your tour of duty.
An SVT40 is on my "wanted list". I am chasing one at the moment. Of course being in the UK, this is de-activated . I too had read of the comment that they were mainly issued to NCO's due to the need to look after the rifle correctly.
Cheers, Ade.

[PaulR]

Thanks Jeff and Adrian

Hi Paul, I look forwards to seeing your pics once you return home from your tour of duty.
An SVT40 is on my "wanted list". I am chasing one at the moment. Of course being in the UK, this is de-activated . I too had read of the comment that they were mainly issued to NCO's due to the need to look after the rifle correctly.
Cheers, Ade.

Thank you Jeff and Adrian for your comments. It does seem like a complex rifle...for the times anyway. I am spending my time looking for a bayonet and cleaning rod. It seems like the accessories are more difficult to locate than the rifles. Adrian, how much are they asking for the rifle you are chasing? That is a real shame about the weapon laws in England What other weapons do you have?

I have just heard that the Finns used the Tokarevs until recently. I guess that will explain the lack of availiblity of Exc. Cond rifles.

Paul

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Paul, we still have not got around to talking money on the SVT40, but I think he will part with it? It does have a spare mag too. Bayonets etc are expensive for these rifles.
My collection is varied due to the fact I collect German but re-enact both WW2 Britsh Airborne & Soviet Russian. Here is a list of my items:

German weapons:
K98 1943
MP44 1944
P38 1944
P35 (P) Radom 1943
Mauser Broomhandle C12 9mm "Red Nine"
LP42 Flare pistol
Panzerfaust 30M late larger size warhead.

British weapons.
Sten MkII plus silencer
Sten MkV 1944
Browning 9mm HP MkI* Canadian (Chinese contract) Iglis made
Enfield .38 1941
Vickers MMG 1940

Russian weapons.
PPsh41 1944
PPsh41 1945
PPS ( Chinese copy type 54)
DP28 LMG 1943
Tokarev TT33 1939.

Cheers, Ade.

[PaulR]

Wow... That is an awesome collection. How do you re-enact? Special "non-weapons" that fire blanks?

How much do the PsH's cost de-milled? Is it all cut up or is it welded into a solid piece?

Sorry for all of the questions...just curious.

Regards,
Paul R.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Paul, a PPSh41 will cost only £150. These are in very good condition, typical Russian reworks. The bolt face will be cut at a 45 degree angle with the firing pin removed or cut short. The barrel will be slotted and a rod welded in place. The chamber may also be pinned to stop a round being loaded. The fire selector and trigger will work as will the bolt hold down catch. The receiver will still break and tilt. Main spring and buffer will still be in place. If you are interested still I can take a pic of mine?

We have Mosin Nagant rifles held under Section 1 firearms licence. We are also very lucky as our Chairman holds a UK Section 5 dealers permit. This allows us to hire goodies such as Maxims, PPSh41, PPS's etc which are all original but fitted with blank firing adapters. Hire cost is £25 plus extra for the blanks. The SMG's are converted to 9mm to keep costs down.

Cheers, Ade.

[PaulR]

I would love to see some photos of your collection!! I bet that it worth every pound to get to fire those weapons...even with blanks!!!

Thanks
Paul R

[Johnnie]

A little morer on the SVT-40. Evidently the Russians had a lot more of them than thought at first. The Germans evidently captured a pretty large quantity overall, and ammo was obviously plentiful. There was also a select fire version called the ATV-40. Most of the SVT-40 imported into the States will have ATV-40 stocks. The difference is mostly the cutouts for the safety lever just behind the trigger guard. An Stv-40 will only be cut out on one side,for the "safe" position of the safety lever, the Atv-40 will be cutout on both sides, as to put the rifle on full auto, you placed the lever on the other side. During the 70's, the Soviets evidently went on a small arms resdtoration frenzy. They Restored and refinished all the remaining Axis weapons oin storage (the current Russian re-blued 98Ks are in this group) as well as all of their own older weapons. They seem to have had a lot of ATV-40 stocks on hand and used them in the restoration of STV-40s in stock. I have a mint STV-40 Russian arsenal rework, as well as an early mint Russian SKS dated 1950 with the early hard wood stock. They evidently still have a tremendous ammount of restored stuff but getting it here with the current laws is a chore. Hopefully, the Assault Weapons Ban law will expire next year and a lot of goodies will appear,
Just some thoughts,
Johnnie

[PaulR]

When exactly will the weapons ban expire? My stock does not have the AVT groove nor are there import marks. Does this add to the value. The only nonSoviet marking is an SA on the reciever.

Paul R

[Gene]

My SVT was brought back by an American vet from France. No magazine (anybody got an unnumbered original??) and slight mismatch, with some stock damage. Wish I could find a better one that's a matching # non-import, non-rebuild or Finnish capture.

[Johnnie]

The so called "Assault Weapons" ban is scheduled to expire next year unless renewed by Congress. This is going to shape up to be a major legislative fight. This bill is the one that restricts military look alikes sucah as semi auto Ak,s ect. It also has the 10 round restriction on magazines, a lot of import bans, ect. Hopefully this turkey will be allowed to expire next year, and honest collectors can enjoy more of their hobby.
The lack of import marks helps a bit with the value of your SVT-40. The SA is Finnish army marking. This rifle was undoubtedly captured during the Second World War time frame and re-issued to Finn forces after a tech inspection and the SA property mark. I'm thinking that few SVT-40,s were available to Soviet forces during the Winter War time frame, but SVT-38.s were available, but I could be wrong, and perhaps someone else knows more about this.
Johnnie

When exactly will the weapons ban expire? My stock does not have the AVT groove nor are there import marks. Does this add to the value. The only nonSoviet marking is an SA on the reciever.

Paul R