SVT-40 Finn Capture

Coyote Ugly

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SVT-40 Tokarev 1941r Finn Capture, SA Marked

Самозарядная винтовка Токарева, образец 1940 года





 
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How are the serial numbers on the parts?

I ask because I got the very LAST Finn SVT that Globe had.

Good shooting rifle but the serial numbers are a dog's breakfast.

Just trying to figure out if I blame Globe for that..... or the Finnish Army.

Thanks much.
 
How are the serial numbers on the parts?

I ask because I got the very LAST Finn SVT that Globe had.

Good shooting rifle but the serial numbers are a dog's breakfast.

Just trying to figure out if I blame Globe for that..... or the Finnish Army.

Thanks much.

In all likelihood, Smellie, the Finnish Army was to blame:

Finnish troops captured over 3,000 SVT-38 rifles during Winter War. Additional 17,000 SVT-38 and SVT-40 were captured during early part of Continuation War. These rifles were very popular among Finnish troops (hundreds were estimated being taken home as war souvenirs), which often took immediately captured Tokarev rifles to their own use. Sniper versions of both Tokarev rifles were very rare finds among weaponry captured by the Finns. However shortage of spare-parts was constant problem with these rifles, so before end of Continuation War over 14,000 of them had been handed over by the troops that had captured them and warehoused. Most of these rifles had ended to warehoused because of worn barrels and/or other broken parts and waited repairs, which were never done. The reasons why these broken rifles were not repaired during the war were probably related to limited Finnish industrial capacity and not having any other source for spare parts than cannibalising some of the rifles for parts. But considering that the most common problems seem to have included broken rifle stocks and worn out barrels, which there the parts that Finnish industry could have rather easily manufactured, best guess is that limited industrial capacity with likely low priority value compared to other firearms in Finnish inventory resulted them being left them in warehouses for rest of the war. One of the reasons behind these numerous breakages was likely Finnish standard issue ammunition (with 13-gram/200-grain D166 bullets), since these rifles had been designed for much lighter bullets. January of 1945 Finnish military ordered all not fit-for-combat Tokarev rifles to be scrapped. In 1950's remaining Tokarev rifles were used for training and some were repaired. Due to not having other source of spare parts they were typically fixed with parts cannibalised from other captured broken Tokarev rifles. Even plans about using their parts for new domestic automatic rifle surfaced around that time. But as intentions soon focused to assault rifles the whole plan for developing domestic automatic rifle was buried. Year 1958 remaining Tokarev rifles were declared obsolete and sold abroad around 1959 - 1961.

ht tp://www.jaegerplatoon.net/RIFLES4.htm
 
Claven2 - I kind of like it like that. It adds character. Maybe saw some tough action. I'll probably look for a spare to have in the parts box for it.


Smellie - there are a few that do match on it and the rest is a dogs breakfast.
 
Gentlemen, I thank you! Things are starting to make a lot more sense.

Globe originally advertised the SVT at $39.95 (minimum wage was about $1.25 out here) and I couldn't afford one.

THEN they started building them into 555s, which sold at $99.95 in Brandon at A&L Cycle. Nice rifles, but I wanted an original Tok.

Got a job teaching, moved to Fogo Island and started thinking. Globe still were in business, told me that they had ONE SVT left; all the rest had been parted or converted into 555s. The LAST rifle had a broken firing-pin and no mag but, if I wanted it, they would affix a 555 magazine which would work. So I sent the $39.95 (plus shipping) and the Beast, a 1940, arrived in due course. Fellow in Fogo had a lathe, made me a firing-pin but there were NO magazines anywhere at all. So mine still has a brand-new 555 magazine on it which feeds..... sort of.

It is now 35 years later, I am on the OAP.... and a simple Magazine costs double what I paid for the whole rifle! The Dollar, I do think, has SHRUNK somewhat!

So, next month, start looking for a Magazine again. Oh well, at least I have a couple of 555 mags I might trade! (My biggest problem is hoarding stuff I don't NEED, just on the off-chance..... well, you know the rest! Most of us are much the same!)

Again, my thanks.
 
(My biggest problem is hoarding stuff I don't NEED, just on the off-chance..... well, you know the rest! Most of us are much the same!)

Again, my thanks.

Woa, smellie enough of these crazy thoughts!! Your so called "hoarding" has gotten me out of a jam on several occasions!! I will be most displeased if you stop this "hoarding" you speak of!!:):):):)
 
What year was that Smellie?

How are the serial numbers on the parts?

I ask because I got the very LAST Finn SVT that Globe had.

Good shooting rifle but the serial numbers are a dog's breakfast.

Just trying to figure out if I blame Globe for that..... or the Finnish Army.

Thanks much.
 
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