Why did they bother to serial number SVT mags?

tootall

tootall

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I have 4 SVTs, and each mag has a stamped S/N that is struck out, and an electro-penciled number that does not match.
So why did they even bother to SN the mags?

Its almost to the point that they are not supposed to match, and if it does, be suspicious.

<rant over> :)
 
I have noticed that some, not all mags need a minor fitting if switched between the rifles. May be this is the case. Simply these rifles were issued with guaranteed fitted mags.
Although, far back in late 80's I was issued and used AK-74 with mags which were stencilled with last 3 digits of rifle's SN. I also used other mags in it with no problem obviously. Having said that, tabourets in our barracks were numbered in sequence as well, and God help you if upon inspection these numbers didn't match:) And cleaning stool legs from boot polish with gun oil etc... There were no limits for sargeant's imagination then. Sorry for off topic, just a little nostalgia:)
 
Dimon answered pretty much to the point. First and main reason is guaranteed fitting. Soviet machinery, management and labour force were not on great level. Even for SVT production USSR had to purchase some machinery from US. The goal of total and complete parts interchangeability was not achievable at that moment, so three magazines were provided that guaranteed to be working with given rifle. The second reason is accounting. Everything that was produced and belonged to the state was called "socialistic property" and depending on times and circumstances God forbid you to lose or damage "socialistic property" - you would be getting anything between disciplinary actions to death penalty.
With refurbished SVTs I found that any given rifle will not accept probably only 1 from 20 mags or even less, so nothing to worry.
 
I often wondered that myself cos every svt mag I've ever seen never matched the rifle. Didn't we have a post your mag number thread here somewhere
 
Sten mags were matched to the gun by the unit, since there were different factories and tolerances, presumably the Soviets did the same. The refinishing folk probably didn't care, throw everything into a heap.
 
Horilka said:
Dimon answered pretty much to the point. First and main reason is guaranteed fitting. Soviet machinery, management and labour force were not on great level. Even for SVT production USSR had to purchase some machinery from US. The goal of total and complete parts interchangeability was not achievable at that moment, so three magazines were provided that guaranteed to be working with given rifle. The second reason is accounting. Everything that was produced and belonged to the state was called "socialistic property" and depending on times and circumstances God forbid you to lose or damage "socialistic property" - you would be getting anything between disciplinary actions to death penalty.
With refurbished SVTs I found that any given rifle will not accept probably only 1 from 20 mags or even less, so nothing to worry.
Click to expand...

Anyone who has been in the CF knows you can't loose, sell or steal "Her Majesty's property" either - has nothing to do with socialism.
 
dimon said:
I have noticed that some, not all mags need a minor fitting if switched between the rifles. May be this is the case. Simply these rifles were issued with guaranteed fitted mags.
Although, far back in late 80's I was issued and used AK-74 with mags which were stencilled with last 3 digits of rifle's SN. I also used other mags in it with no problem obviously. Having said that, tabourets in our barracks were numbered in sequence as well, and God help you if upon inspection these numbers didn't match:) And cleaning stool legs from boot polish with gun oil etc... There were no limits for sargeant's imagination then. Sorry for off topic, just a little nostalgia:)
Click to expand...

I enjoyed that, I am cold war warrior as well and it is always interesting to hear the barrack tidbits of the other side.
 
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