M91 Argentine Bolt Question

[fishn861]

Is there a differece in tbe bolt of the M91 carbine and the M91 long rifle? I have a stripped down bolt that wont fit in my rifle. See the recessed lug onthe original bolt also the extractor slots dont line up the same. The original is alightly offset. My rifle is a early lowe G serial. I dont know if my rifle was a carbine or not since it has been altered. See pictures thanks. fishn

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[Patrick Chadwick]

Well just to be sure that theory meets practice, I took the bolt out of my 1891 Engineer's Carbine. Guaranteed 100% original and correctly marked, like all early Mausers, in places where other rifles don't even have places!

And it is just like the bolt on the left in your 1st photo.

Next step: grab your copy of Jerry Kuhnhausen's "The Mauser Bolt Actions - A Shop Manual".

What! You haven't got one!
OK, I'll forgive you for now, but if you collect any more ancient Mausers, then you will soon find it's a case of "get the book - or get confused".

Turn to Page 22 / Fig. 12, and voilá - a picture of an 1891 rifle action - with a bolt that looks just like the one on the right in your first photo.

So the answer to your question is: yes, they do seem to be different. How very curious!
Reading the text on P22, it describes the differences introduced with the Spanish contract 1891 bolts, with "an additional plunger, spring and screw installed in the right locking lug..." which I cannot see in your photo. It goes on to say that "To improve extraction... extractors in Spanish contract 1891 bolts were repositioned, as shown above and in Fig. 25."

So you actually seem to have an interim version - 1891 Argentine, using the bolt body and extractor as for the Spanish version, but without the additional components in the bolt lug!

As I have written before, real-life factory operations are often not as "clean" on model changes as collectors would like, and there are also transitional versions of the 1893 - 5 series of bolts, indicating that on several occasions, the factory simply used up stocks of existing parts together with new parts when changing models. So don't fret. If the bolt is numbered to the rifle, and the whole thing works, then I reckon it came from the factory like that!

Patrick

[fishn861]

Thank you Patrick. I,ve not been a forum meber very long and you have beeen very helpful. I just ordered a copy of Jerry Kuhnhausens book. I had one afew years ago but I cant seem to find it now, probably loaned it to someone who did not think it important to return when done. The bolt that came with the rifle has numbers matching the receiver. I will use it. Thanks again.

[jmoore]

"As I have written before, real-life factory operations are often not as "clean" on model changes as collectors would like, and there are also transitional versions of the 1893 - 5 series of bolts, indicating that on several occasions, the factory simply used up stocks of existing parts together with new parts when changing models. So don't fret. If the bolt is numbered to the rifle, and the whole thing works, then I reckon it came from the factory like that!"

OT, somewhat, but I think this comment would apply to Peter Laidler's battle peep size mystery. Factory drawing change made early on, but inertia led to examples of both types in the system w/o differentiation.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Factory drawing change made early on, but inertia led to examples of both types in the system w/o differentiation.

I agree, this is a very likely explanation. If older version parts can be incorporated without any loss of function - use up what's in the bin! The effect seems to be common with the Mausers from 1891 to 1895 from Loewe/DWM that were being supplied to various countries. The later 98 family models, usually specified by one major customer (Swedes, Brazileans etc) were extraordinarily consistent in components and markings.

[Calif-Steve]

The Dealers Warehouse in Modesto, CA is the only source for M91 mauser bolt parts. He has almost everything. I believe he picked them up in Argentina many years back.