When US forces encounter quantities of these weapons they are collected and either deactivated with a grinder (see right) or incinerated, sometimes ceremoniously.

These are some of the infamous gold plated sniper rifles. They were intended as gifts for important friends of Saddam's regime and are fully functional.

Below is a detail image of rifles on left. An interesting mix of Russian SVD's and Al Kadesiah sniper rifles. Some appear brand new. All targeted for destruction.

More gold plated sniper rifles waiting to be destroyed.

Not all captured SVD's are destroyed. Some are actually put to good use by American soldiers. The SVD's ability to work reliably in harsh conditions is obviously appreciated.

The SVD's 4 power scope is particularly useful in this setting. It offers a wide enough field of view to easily spot targets. A higher power scope would not allow the shooter to see threats just outside his field of vision (possibly aiming back at him).

Note spent M203 rifle grenade casings at this soldier's feet.

The following is from Histories for Iron Horse Vet

"The need for snipers in Iraq became apparent, so the command group decided to pick some of the top marksmen in the Battalion to serve as snipers for 4/42. Initially, 3 soldiers were selected for this duty: SGT Franklin, HHB, survey section, SGT Martin, HHB, survey section, and SSG Henderson, HHB, Forward Observer. The Snipers were armed with foriegn weapons. SGT Franklin used a captured Soviet Dragunov sniper rifle, and the other two soldiers were both armed with Tabuk sniper rifles. The sniper teams that formed carried out sniper missions in pairs or threes, and conducted operations in and around Ad Dwar, Iraq from Aug 2003 to March 2004. The soldiers often walked from base camp to town, and snuck into positions at night. SGT Franklin is credited with one enemy kill.

SVD in use by US soldier. Note the panoramic photo above him.