maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I can attest that SA marked SVT rifles do appear on the Exchange. That is where I found mine. However, that was many years ago long before the "plum" coloured arsenal reissued rifles appeared. That rifle has a later date (1942 IIRC), so it was captured in the Continuation War.
It is my reading of history that the Finns adapted their infantry tactics and defensive lines to stretch out the Russians along the lines of communication. The Finns then raided the flanks of the columns, killing Russians, stealing supplies and raising absolute terror. When the Russians were able to secure their lines of communications and concentrate enough critical mass against the Finns, the defenders suffered badly. The Finns had very limited room to manoeuver and simply ran out of depth. Jump ahead a year or two, the Russians kept up pressure and learned how to fight smarter. It was a dangerous time for everyone. Germans posted to Finland went crazy from the monotony; the Finns bled out their national and natural resources; and the Russians kept dying. This is when my SA capture rifle changed hands. In my opinion, a man died with that gun in his hands. The Finns were very mindful of everything they captured and who needed it to defend the country. The worn bluing and scratches are the marks of brave men living in log and turf dugouts, staring out at the midnight darkness looking for Russian ski patrols.
The SA and Globco rifles were imported by Century Arms International back in the 60's. That was a time when 7.62x54R was not available outside the Warsaw Pact. (Remember that when the American Special Forces in Vietnam wanted ammunition for their AK47s, they had to reload it from components.) I suggest that the SA rifles survived the .303 BR hunting rifle conversions for some reason. Either they were better quality or not yet touched. I don't believe for a second that some oldtimer kept his old army rifle and brought it with him to Canada.
It is my reading of history that the Finns adapted their infantry tactics and defensive lines to stretch out the Russians along the lines of communication. The Finns then raided the flanks of the columns, killing Russians, stealing supplies and raising absolute terror. When the Russians were able to secure their lines of communications and concentrate enough critical mass against the Finns, the defenders suffered badly. The Finns had very limited room to manoeuver and simply ran out of depth. Jump ahead a year or two, the Russians kept up pressure and learned how to fight smarter. It was a dangerous time for everyone. Germans posted to Finland went crazy from the monotony; the Finns bled out their national and natural resources; and the Russians kept dying. This is when my SA capture rifle changed hands. In my opinion, a man died with that gun in his hands. The Finns were very mindful of everything they captured and who needed it to defend the country. The worn bluing and scratches are the marks of brave men living in log and turf dugouts, staring out at the midnight darkness looking for Russian ski patrols.
The SA and Globco rifles were imported by Century Arms International back in the 60's. That was a time when 7.62x54R was not available outside the Warsaw Pact. (Remember that when the American Special Forces in Vietnam wanted ammunition for their AK47s, they had to reload it from components.) I suggest that the SA rifles survived the .303 BR hunting rifle conversions for some reason. Either they were better quality or not yet touched. I don't believe for a second that some oldtimer kept his old army rifle and brought it with him to Canada.
