SOLD - Rare Russian SVT-38 Rifle - 1939 Mfg

Description

11/30/23 - This SVT-38 semi-automatic rifle was manufactured by Izhevsk arsenal in 1939. The Tokarev rifles were manufactured throughout World War II by both the Tula and Izhevsk arsenals, although these earlier SVT-38 models are less commonly encountered today than the SVT-40 that superseded it. Approximately 150,000 SVT-38s were reportedly manufactured before April of 1940 as opposed to 1,600,000 SVT-40s manufactured. But as far as surviving examples in the states go, especially non-import examples like this one, the survival rate is extremely low. The SVT-38 rifles were rushed into service to see their initial combat use in the Winter War (November 30th, 1939-March 13th, 1940) in which the Soviet Union attempted to invade Finland. The short-lived SVT-38 was used with limited success, with many dropped on the snow covered battlefield and many others captured by Finland; in part due to its tendency to jam as well as issues with the magazine falling out during live fire, which was corrected in the SVT-40. Receiver shows the 1939 date with Tula star logo. Matching numbers on receiver and stock but mismatched on trigger guard, magazine and bolt handle. SA marking on receiver indicates later Finnish capture. Excellent bluing overall but minor wear on the trigger group. Bore has strong rifling but frost throughout. Stock is also SA marked and is in great shape with no notable defects.