Question about a Rifle I saw this Weekend

CITADELGRAD87 · May 16, 2001, 02:07 PM

Trying to ID a rifle I saw this weekend. By the time I thought to ask the guy what it was, he had gone.

It looked "kind of" like a Garand, seemed definately a milsurp piece, seemed from WW11 era or so. Large, stock and handguards went up about as far as a Garand. About the size of a Garand.

Semi auto, round op-rod or bolt handle. Fed from strippers through the top, probably 5-8 rounds. Conventional sights.

Fired a rimmed round, cases seemed about as big as a loaded .308, with a gradual taper to at least .30. Ejection was stout, about 20' to the right front.

Any ideas?

**Mike Irwin** · May 16, 2001, 02:30 PM

Well, the "round op rod or bolt handle" and rimmed round description says to me that it was a Soviet SVT semi-automatic rifle.

Did you notice if it had a box magazine that protruded beneath the body of the rifle?

How about a muzzle brake?

Here's the best picture I found on the web...

See if this rings a bell.

http://www.winterwar.com/Weapons/SuS...SEMI-AUTOMATIC RIFLE M/38 TOKARJEV ( SVT-38 )

CITADELGRAD87 · May 16, 2001, 03:12 PM

No, no protruding mag, no conspicuous flash hider or brake, but those Russian ones are pretty small, otherwise they look pretty close.

I don't think the action stuck up from the wrist of the stock so severely, if at all.

Argh! I should have just shouted to the guy, but I was busy running through my first set of reloaded ammo.

SDC · May 16, 2001, 03:20 PM

The only other rifle that I can think of other than the SVT that looks sort of like what you're describing is the FN-49 (also sometimes called the SAFN), but they were chambered for rimless ammo (30-06, 7x57, and 8mm Mauser). They look "Garandish" (but with a stripper-fed box mag), and have a round bolt handle.

**James K** · May 19, 2001, 09:51 PM

A thought. Are you sure it was semi-auto? The Steyr straight pulls have large round bolt knobs that do not turn down, although they do have protruding magazines.

Jim

May 16, 2001, 02:30 PM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 33,119	Well, the "round op rod or bolt handle" and rimmed round description says to me that it was a Soviet SVT semi-automatic rifle. Did you notice if it had a box magazine that protruded beneath the body of the rifle? How about a muzzle brake? Here's the best picture I found on the web... See if this rings a bell. http://www.winterwar.com/Weapons/SuS...SEMI-AUTOMATIC RIFLE M/38 TOKARJEV ( SVT-38 ) __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

May 16, 2001, 02:07 PM	#1
CITADELGRAD87 Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2000 Posts: 432	Trying to ID a rifle I saw this weekend. By the time I thought to ask the guy what it was, he had gone. It looked "kind of" like a Garand, seemed definately a milsurp piece, seemed from WW11 era or so. Large, stock and handguards went up about as far as a Garand. About the size of a Garand. Semi auto, round op-rod or bolt handle. Fed from strippers through the top, probably 5-8 rounds. Conventional sights. Fired a rimmed round, cases seemed about as big as a loaded .308, with a gradual taper to at least .30. Ejection was stout, about 20' to the right front. Any ideas?

May 16, 2001, 03:12 PM	#3
CITADELGRAD87 Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2000 Posts: 432	No, no protruding mag, no conspicuous flash hider or brake, but those Russian ones are pretty small, otherwise they look pretty close. I don't think the action stuck up from the wrist of the stock so severely, if at all. Argh! I should have just shouted to the guy, but I was busy running through my first set of reloaded ammo.

May 16, 2001, 03:20 PM	#4
SDC Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2001 Location: People's Republic of Kanada Posts: 1,576	The only other rifle that I can think of other than the SVT that looks sort of like what you're describing is the FN-49 (also sometimes called the SAFN), but they were chambered for rimless ammo (30-06, 7x57, and 8mm Mauser). They look "Garandish" (but with a stripper-fed box mag), and have a round bolt handle.

May 19, 2001, 09:51 PM	#5
James K Staff Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 16,428	A thought. Are you sure it was semi-auto? The Steyr straight pulls have large round bolt knobs that do not turn down, although they do have protruding magazines. Jim