Polished SVT-40 Bolt

[Hardlickher]

Got an SVT-40 and couldn't stand the poo coloured bolt. It's ok but I wanted my SVT to look closer to what it would of looked like when it came out the factory.



This is what it looked like when I first got it. (figure 1-A)



close up of the bolt. (figure 2-A)



Now what the bolt looks like after polishing it. It took about 1hr with Flitz and a rag. (figure 3-A)

First time posting so I figured id make this my introduction post.

Information

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[Ridolpho]

Hardlickher: Nice to see an SVT post. They're neat rifles but not a lot of published material on them (in english). Do you (or anyone else, for that matter) know what these strange coloured coatings on bolt/ bolt carrier are? I have two of the orange-bronze variety and a third that would be best described as plum. Is it a known fact that all original versions were "in the white"?

Ridolpho

[WarPig1976]

I don't have an SVT but knowing Soviet arms I'd say its a coating of "Shellac" on the bolt.


"Nuts"

[jmoore]

The odd color on the bolt carrier is just a bad bluing job. With work it could have been more like the rest of the rifle, but since it was "in the white" as manufactured, removing the finish is probably the better plan if you must do something.

[Hardlickher]

I've heard everything from bluing, special coating, to by product of heat treatment during refurbishing.

[jmoore]

One would hope that no second heat treat was required! Generally not an excellent course of action.

I guess it could be called "special"....I'd just call it "hasty".

[Doug_M]

The plum bolts are that way from bluing during refurbishing. There are two (at least) schools of thought on polishing a plum bolt. One, of course, is "don't, you ruin its historical value". And the other is "do it, it lost its historical value (mostly) during factory refurbishing". I'm more of the latter in opinion and polished bolt on mine too). I think it restores the rifle to its original look without damaging it. That being said, if I were to sell it (not going to happen!) I'd disclose that the bolt has been polished.

[WarPig1976]

Since it blueing you can just use blue remover, that way it's more original then polishing it.
This rifle is on my list but, man are they expensive now.

[Ridolpho]

Personally I kind of like the unusual colouration plus all these new SVT's in Canada appear to be refurbs with abundant evidence of that beyond the colour of carrier/ bolt. But being a genuine soviet "re-furb" seems to be an OK thing with good quality worksmanship evident. All the ones I've seen have excellent metal finish and there are a number with excellent bores out there. The odd one appears to have a greater proportion of original matching parts. Prices up here are in the $300-400 range at present allowing one to start a collection witout breaking the bank.

Ridolpho

[Hardlickher]

Sadly, I'm not a collector. I just buy neat old surplus rifles and enjoy firing them.