WWII Russian Individual Infantrymen #1

Unpainted 1/285th Scale Micro Armour®

Q: Why do these WWII infantry look like they are carrying AK-47s?

A:Thanks for your note, however, the figures in question are not carrying AK-47s. It's an SVT 40.

The Tokarev SVT 40 was a robust and reliable semi-automatic rifle produced by the Soviet Union. The Soviets were impressed by examples of the M1 Garand which they had purchased and used their considerable talents as designers of small arms to produce a self-loader of their own.

The primary problems with the SVT38 and the more durable and reliable SVT 40 were the same: A strong recoil and a powerful muzzle blast.

Issuance of the SVT 40 was primarily to NCO's early on due to the army's belief that the common soldier would fire off too much ammunition with a semi-auto rifle.

Later, shock troops and elite units were issued them as these soldiers were expected to display greater fire discipline.

Demand was high for the rifle and supply never kept up with that demand.

After the German invasion in 1941, captured examples were studied by them and the Wermacht's Sturm Gewher 43 was a direct result. (which it much resembled)

The SVT design was influential in the Soviet firearms development that led, in the end, to the Kalashnikov AK-47.

The rifle had a vented barrel and a 10-round box magazine. It was manufactured in 7.62mm caliber and had a muzzle velocity of 2,723 ft. per sec.

I hope this answers your question.