*Russian, WW2, Self Loading Rifle – Tokarev STV40 with German Waffenamt (Selbstladegewehr 259(r)), Made at Izhevsk, Dated 1940, Matching serial numbers, Deactivated*
Serial Number цг1290 Marked on left of barrel, etched on the stock and written on the trigger guard. (Marked 1290 on deactivation certificate)
7.62 Calibre, 60cm barrel Length
Marked on top of Barrel: with Izhevsk factory markings (Arrow in a triangle) “1940r”, and various Izhevsk proof marks (“O in circle” pressure test and “K in circle” accuracy test markings) and overwritten with German waffenamt WaA497.
Magazine: numbered “ии765” and written “HB2641-42”
This rifle is the semi-automatic self-loading model utilized by Russian forces during World War II. Initially developed in 1938 by Fedsor Tokarev as the SVT-38, it saw action during the Finnish invasion, though it faced certain drawbacks. However, refinements made in 1940 led to its redesignation as the SVT-40. Production commenced in July 1940 at Tula and later expanded to factories in Izhevsk and Podolsk. While the Mosin–Nagant M1891/30 bolt-action rifle remained the standard-issue firearm for Red Army troops, the SVT-40 was often issued to non-commissioned officers and elite units such as the naval infantry. The factories, already experienced in SVT-38 production, swiftly increased output, with an estimated 70,000 SVT-40s manufactured in 1940 alone.
By the onset of Operation Barbarossa in June 1941, the German invasion of the USSR, the SVT-40 had become widespread in Red Army use. Though Soviet infantry divisions were intended to possess one-third SVTs, this ratio was rarely met in practice. The early months of the war proved challenging for the USSR, resulting in the capture of numerous SVT rifles by the Germans on the Eastern Front. Facing a shortage of self-loading rifles, the Wehrmacht utilized these captured SVT-38 and 40 models, designating them as Selbstladegewehr 258(r) and Selbstladegewehr 259(r) respectively. Moreover, the study of the SVT’s gas-operated action contributed to the development of the German Gewehr 43 rifle.
This particular rifle with matching serial numbers, is dated 1940 on the receiver and bears the Izhevsk Armoury mark. It the cleaning rod and genuine (but not original to this rifle) detachable magazine.
*Condition*
Fully deactivated, the bolt and trigger do not move. Good patina. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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