SVT40 Serial Number Prefix

[Ratkovic]

Ok, so I've had this question for a while, but haven't been able to find a solid answer while searching for it.

I have a 1941 Tula SVT40, and the serial number, like most Russian firearms is AA####. I know that the Soviets made all their guns in batches of 10,000, with each batch being designated by two letter prefixes. My question is what determines the prefix? Do they just start with AA and then go AБ, AB, AГ, etc, or was it random? The prefix on mine is ЛГ.

I ask because I'm trying to figure out if my Tokarev used to be an SVT38. It has the square stamped onto the receiver block, over the Tula star, and as far as I've found that means rebuilt from SVT38 to SVT40. However that part that has the Tula star is more square than rectangular, While the SVT38 has it more rectangular and the SVT40 has it more square.

And it was built in 1941, when they started making the SVT40's, just to complicate things. I'm just trying to get an idea of when it was made and what it possibly went through, and I'm well aware that at best I'll have a vague idea, it was the USSR after all.

Sorry for the long story, and thanks in advance.

 

[dimon]

Our counterparts on Russian gun forum were working on this. They were using empirical research in order to tie up prefixes to the month of the year, rather than archived data. There is no official announcement on this yet.

 

[Ratkovic]

That would explain why I haven't found anything on the subject! It's good to hear that someone is trying to figure it out, it'll be interesting to see what they come up with.

 

[Ratnik]

I ask because I'm trying to figure out if my Tokarev used to be an SVT38. It has the square stamped onto the receiver block, over the Tula star, and as far as I've found that means rebuilt from SVT38 to SVT40. However that part that has the Tula star is more square than rectangular, While the SVT38 has it more rectangular and the SVT40 has it more square.

Square\box is just an emblem of arsenal that refurbished your rifle - Arsenal #7 in Riga. Your rifle is usual SVT-40

Our counterparts on Russian gun forum were working on this. They were using empirical research in order to tie up prefixes to the month of the year, rather than archived data. There is no official announcement on this yet.

Actually, everything is already done and only wait for publishing

 

[Ratkovic]

Square\box is just an emblem of arsenal that refurbished your rifle - Arsenal #7 in Riga. Your rifle is usual SVT-40

Cool! I had no idea.

The info on the internet right now is very vague so it'll be good to see what gets published.