The Kovrov arsenal also produced the SVT 40 in a supplemental role beginning in the later part of 1940 and ending in 1941, less than a year later. At that time the Kovrov arsenal concentrated on producing machine-guns and airborne cannons for the Air Force. The Kovrov arsenal is located some 260 Km east of Moscow and up until recently discovered information was not associated with Tokarev production. It should be noted that the Kovrov arsenal was initially set up in 1916 by the Danish machine gun maker Madsen to produce their weapon but the arsenal was left unfinished due to the revolution. In 1916 Vladimir G. Fedorov was sent to complete the project and organize the work force for production of his light automatic rifle the "Automat". The arsenal was completed in 1918 and at the request of Fedorov, Vasiliy Degtyarev joined Fedorov at the arsenal to work on his machine gun designs. Degtyarev invited the brightest and best armourers from Sestroyetsyk to join him. Those that did received a large stipend in reward. Sestroyetsyk arsenal at that time was nothing more than a large repair/refurbishment depot, as most of the skilled labor and machinery had been moved from the arsenal. The Tokarev SVT40 rifle produced at Kovrov is a prime collectable and rarely encountered. It was erroneously assumed the arsenal stamp that Kovrov used was that of the earlier Sestroyetsyk as the fletched arrow logo is so similar.
