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After a lot of research the one part that is a sticking point on my '03 is the bolt. While I have had many people tell me the Remingtons from the 1941/1942 contract should have a Swept Back Bolt while mine is not swept back, I have seen images of rifles of the same period with both Swept Back and non-swept back bolt handles. From the US Army Publications dated to this time frame (1942) images show the bolt like the one I have.
Is it possible that Remington Used some earlier bolts that were already in the Supply Chain at the time to reduce costs which was the intent of the Early 1942 Changes to the original Contract?
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There were rumors that Remington obtained some earlier bolts from Rock Island, but nothing has been proved. Can you post a picture of the underside of the bolt handle with the R showi9ng clearly?
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Here's what the bottom of the bolt handle should look like - a small or large R stamp:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tandard-11.jpg
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The only camera I have that I can get good clear Macro shot of it is currently Traveling with relatives out of state at the moment.
---------- Post added at 02:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:26 PM ----------
Mine does not look like that. The Bolt works exact the way it is supposed. though.
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I'll bet you have a proof mark of some kind on the bottom of the bolt handle. Look on all sides of the safety lug, halfway up the bolt body.
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No Marks of any find on the Safety Lug. It has what is described as an early 03 Remington Cocking Knob, or an unknown Firing Pin according to Vi's 1903 site under Springfield/RIA list.
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The bolt parts could be Remington, I have a feeling the bolt body is not.
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I am beginning to get that feeling myself. So with the bolt body and the Follower being the only parts I have found so far that are not original Remington Parts, I am feeling pretty good about it. I will continue doing my research of course. I am enjoying the learning part a lot. I pulled the firing mechanism out of the bolt today to see if it needed cleaning of Cosmoline. I was very surprised to find it was actually very clean given the Cosmoline that I have found hardened in other places. I haven't yet pulled the rest of the gun apart yet.
Thanks for all the help you have given me.
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No problem - sometimes, shooters replaced later bolts with earlier case-hardened bolts because they felt they were "slicker".
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Here is a Link to an older American Rifleman Article about the Remington 1903's
American Rifleman | The Remington M1903 Rifles
You may have already read it, I found it fascinating.
