Ugly SVT 40 Stock...mess with it or leave it alone???

First time on the forum and wow is this great!

Under almost all circumstances I am very conservative about messing with military surplus firearms. I have never done anything to a stock other than wiping it down with a rag. I almost always would rather a historic piece stay in that been-there-done-that look. However, I just acquired an SVT 40 with a REALLY ugly stock.

SVT 40 former AVT 40 1943 Russian : Other Collectible Guns at GunBroker.com


It looks like maybe someone was part of the way through removing the old shellac. I don't know if I'll even be able to handle it without finish flaking off. There are several topics on this (really awesome) forum regarding removing old stuff with DA and using Garnet or Ruby shellac flakes to simulate an original Soviet finish...which is really beautiful imho.

Should I take a shot at making it pretty? Is the ugly stock preferred? For now, I've decided not to do anything that can't be undone and found SVT wood on eBay to put on it.

SVT 40 original AVT stock SVT40 tokarev

For a reasonable price I can use it for trips to the range so I don't have old shellac coming off on my hands. I figure I can put the original stock in storage for another time.

What would you do???

Looking through the gunbroker auction photos I see electropenciled force matching on the plum coloured bolt handle and a couple of arsenal rebuild marks on the action, so with that said I would do whatever makes you the most happy.

I have a similar example and upon purchase the shellac was sheeting off like discarded onion skin. I stripped the old finish with methyl-hydrate and did only the absolute minimal amount of wood prep with 0000 steel wool to preserve markings, then I refinished with a few light coats of a Minwax based product. The end result was an attractive low-lustre finish that offers water protection for when I am out in inclement weather. My finish could be easily stripped and shellac could be applied if my attitude changes in the future.

I will find some photos this evening for illustration.

As an aside, the SVT-40 market value in the US is staggeringly different than in Canada, that much I will say, our refurbished examples were running about $300 CDN, or about $205 USD at todays rate.

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Originally Posted by Sentryduty

Looking through the gunbroker auction photos I see electropenciled force matching on the plum coloured bolt handle and a couple of arsenal rebuild marks on the action, so with that said I would do whatever makes you the most happy.

As an aside, the SVT-40 market value in the US is staggeringly different than in Canada, that much I will say, our refurbished examples were running about $300 CDN, or about $205 USD at todays rate.

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Yes, it's certainly a shooter and nothing that could be confused for museum quality. I'm also aware of the price our neighbors to the North pay for these rifles, thanks for pointing that out. :surrender:

I must say I'm fairly jealous, but what are you going to do? At least I can import cheap parts I guess.

It all comes out in the wash, the US market does have a number advantages to the average firearms enthusiast, the SVT-40 is just one of the unusual market blips is all.

If you haven't shot an SVT-40 before, you will find they are pleasant to shoot, and recoil softly for the cartridge. Nearby shooters will be assaulted by blast from the muzzle brake, aggressive ejection may not win any friends either, but the rifles run well. I find that mine will group well enough but begin to string shots vertically somewhere around the 20 round point, letting it cool off settles it back down every time.

They are an interesting point of progression from the Mosin-Nagant which as we all know ended up being the main issue rifle for the Soviet forces during the Second World War.

I'd use a liquid strip and remove all old stock finish. Don't sand much or the stock will be white and you won't get it dark for anything. Then use a good spar varnish and cover carefully. Soon, the stock will be the best part.

Yes, we had a whole discussion about how cheap these are in Canada opposing the US market...just how it is.

Here is how mine turned out with the process I outlined above:

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Yes, we had a whole discussion about how cheap these are in Canada opposing the US market...just how it is.

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And I'm still waiting for someone willing to chuck one across a creek at the border. :madsmile:

A fellow would have to toss a lot of them to even begin to make it worth the risk, LOL.

What is the hangup with supply to the US on these rifles, are they blocked from import, or simply uncommon?

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Originally Posted by Sentryduty

Here is how mine turned out

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That looks pretty good...

Thanks Jim! That rifle has the sniper scope rail and mounting notch cut, I would like to add reproduction scope and mount but I have a hard time justifying the price. The Westrifle mount and combo is worth more than I paid for the whole rifle, and no one has really reviewed them in detail. It would be a shame to outlay that cash for garbage and then be left with the decision to keep it or sell with a conscience that it is junk .