SVT38 From France!

[R_Hessian]

Finally, I have finished cleaning probably one of the most "Filthy" rifles I have ever bought. This rifle has not seen a cleaning in "ages", I have never scrubbed a rifle, bore etc, as much as this one. I can't begin to tell you, my wife has already told me that she doesn't want to hear about how many Q-tips and patches I used.... She said, " Stop ranting and have a beer for pete's sake".

Ok, I'm better, well here she is a "Kind of hard" to find SVT38. I think it cleaned up nicely. It does have a few differences from the SVT40 such as 2 peice stock, position of the cleaning rod ( kind of neat ) etc.

I normally stick to German weapons but this caught my eye as it was a VET. bring back and captured in France. It has not been reblued or is it import marked, its only fault is that it does not have an original SVT38 magazine it has a SVT40 magazine ( which was done by the Russians ).

I found a interesting item in a book by David Isby ( Fighting the invasion, the German army at D-Day ) page 106 through 108 list all the weapons held by the 709th Inf. Div. at Normany 1 May 1944. Of note is the captured section with listings ( By country ) of weapons used, it refects that the Division had "81" auto rifles (RUSSIAN) being used by its troops... at the same time it only listed "58" model 41 rifles.

Well anyway I hope you all enjoy peeking at it!
Regards,
Robert

[R_Hessian]

picture 2

picture 2

[R_Hessian]

picture3

picture3

[R_Hessian]

picture4

picture4

[R_Hessian]

picture5

picture5

[Gene]

Simply outstanding

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Robert, it has been well worth the wait just to see the pics of this rifle. I echo Gene's comment!
Are you going to shoot it at all?
Cheers, Ade.

[R_Hessian]

Response

Adrian and Gene,

Thanks for the nice comments, I don't know if I will shoot it ( sure as hell not today as a major storm is coming in ). I think I will just sit back and drink beer today and maybe post a extra Browning HP holster for sale or something.

God I love this stuff!
Robert

[Gene]

1.) Don't shoot the SVT.

2.) Drink a beer.

3.) Sell me the SVT.

4.) Everyone celebrate!

[Johnnie]

Congratulatioins! 38's are really hard to find. It is interesting that it has a 40 mag, converted by the Russians. Thats was a new one on me, and one of the reasons I really enjoy this forum.
Enjoy your treasure, I'm sure the elbow grease was worth it.
Regards,
Johnnie

[R_Hessian]

Johnie!

Actually the svt40 magazine fits it with no modification needed at all!


Gene, take it easy kid your getting all spun up!!!!!!
Robert

[Matt Weber]

Robert,

I have to agree with Gene! It appears that all your hard work and cleaning really paid off. This rifle looks to be in great shape (considering what it has been through; Russian hands, German hands, carried to France, and ends up in US hands!)

Great job


Matt

PS- I think that the SVT is a great rifle. I was really surprised in our poll "Best Infantry Rifle", that it only recieved one vote!? I think in many ways it was equal, if not superior to the M1 Garand. (I'm sure I'll get booed for this!)

[Johnnie]

Hi Matt,
No, I won't BOO you! But there are some serious practical differencers between the two rifles that make the M-1 superior for overall general use. The primary factor is the gas syatem. The SVT system is overly complicated compared to the Garand, and had a lot higher breakage rate. In addition, it was much more difficult to maintain. I will say one thing for good shape SVT's, they tend to be very accurate. I have one of the SVT-40 Russian arsenal rebuilds that made in the country before the ban took effect. It is arsenal rebuild mint, and a great shooter, but I only shoot guaranteed NON-Corrosive ammo in it because the gas system is such a pain to dissasemble and clean. Part of the problems with the type of gas system used on them was partially solved by fluting the chambers. However, if you start out with too small a gas port setting , and the case doesn't eject, it tends to stick in the chamber, and a pain to remove. Gas adjustment tools are hard to find.
The ONE advantage SVT's have over the Garand is the 10 rd. detachable magazine which can be topped off with Mosin_Naganr stripper clips. Also, it does have the muzzel brake.
WOW, sorry for ranting on so long, but I love both rifles and shoot both my SVT-40 and my M-1 often in the summer.
Regards,
Johnnie

Robert,

I have to agree with Gene! It appears that all your hard work and cleaning really paid off. This rifle looks to be in great shape (considering what it has been through; Russian hands, German hands, carried to France, and ends up in US hands!)

Great job


Matt

PS- I think that the SVT is a great rifle. I was really surprised in our poll "Best Infantry Rifle", that it only recieved one vote!? I think in many ways it was equal, if not superior to the M1 Garand. (I'm sure I'll get booed for this!)

[PaulR]

That is an awesome example! I have had my finn capture SVT40 for about 10 years now. I have never fired it though! How much are these going for now? When I got mine...mismatched with an excellant bore...it cost me 450.00 usd. Are they the same or have they gone up?

Thanks
Paul

[R_Hessian]

Price!

Today an import svt40 can go from $550. up to $750., this being a svt38 and non-import makes the price tag abit higher and the old ticker pumping faster.

I'll tell you what I paid with a PM to ya, if these other guys find out they will fall out of their chairs and say, "That fellows off his rocker". ( they are probably right ).

Semper FI
Robert
PS. You keep alert out there!