Introduced in 1964, the SVD was designed around the Soviet doctrine of the infantry sniper; as more and more infantrymen were equipped with submachine guns and assault rifles to meet the demands of close-quarters urban fighting, the loss in overall range was mitigated by issuing full-powered rifles to skilled marksmen permanently attached to infantry squads, who would engage threats outside the reach of the rest of the unit, in addition to thinning out targets of opportunity like officers, NCOs, radiomen, and the like. While NATO forces did not have a comparable unit through the Cold War, the Designated Marksman concept did come into its own during the War on Terror, with repurposed M14s, AR-10/AR-15 derivatives and similar rifles filling the niche. Hooded pin front and tangent rear sights, with the "arrow in triangle" arsenal mark over "1986" and the serial number below, with matching bolt carrier, bolt, hammer, safety lever, gas cylinder, receiver cover and trigger housing. Milled receiver, with integral scope rail on the left side, fitted with a PSO pattern scope with integral illumination, numbered "N17737". Smooth stock, with vented hand guard and a thumbhole buttstock numbered "14236" with clamp-on cheekpiece and a cupped buttplate. Includes a generic hard case, canvas soft case, magazine carrier, and scope cover as well as an extra magazine.

Very good retaining 85% original black finish with exposed phosphate on the balance and scattered dings and scratches. The bolt carrier has been renumbered to match. Wood is fine with the majority of the varnish remaining and dings and scratches with a few chips on the buttstock. Scope is very fine with external dings and wear with clear optics and a crisp reticle. Illumination untested. Mechanically excellent. Accessories are all very fine with use related wear. Very few of these rifles made it to the United States; seize the opportunity to add this rifle to your collection!