The SVT-40 is a semi-automatic rifle developed in the Soviet Union during World War II. It was designed by Fedor Tokarev and officially adopted by the Red Army in 1940. The rifle uses a 7.62x54mmR cartridge and features a gas-operated mechanism, allowing for faster follow-up shots compared to bolt-action rifles. The SVT-40 was intended to provide infantry with a more effective weapon on the battlefield. However, it faced production challenges and was eventually replaced by the more reliable Mosin-Nagant rifles and later by the AK-47. Despite this, the SVT-40 remains a notable example of early semi-automatic rifle design.