1903A4 bolt question

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Hello All,

I acquired a 1903A4 this last summer and am just getting around to researching it and looking into getting the scope put back on. I am in talks with a member about a base and rings and will look into acquiring an M73 scope as one comes available. My question is about the bolt- sorry I didn't get a better picture but its not the normal swept bolt like on most A4s it looks like a modified 03A3 bolt that's been bent and trimmed to clear the scope. It looks like a hack job. The bolt is blued while the rest of the rifle is parkerized. Is this bolt from bubba or does this look like a USGI field fix? The serial dates to April of 43. Thank for any help or input

That bolt definitely looks like a hack. That's not military, they'd change the bolt for correct.

Thanks Jim that is what I was looking for. It would make sense the stock appears to have been sanded and now has some shiny finish put on it. Any recommendations on where to source a replacement?

is it stamped CC on the root? Numrich bent a lot of surplus CC bolts. I unfortunately have one, thinking $30 was worth a try so save an old neglected sporter. It looks like yours, only yours looks to have been polished a bit. Finish on on the numrich ones very rough.
I ended up getting one made up properly from chuck. His are the best match to originals I've seen.

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Originally Posted by EnfieldC

where to source a replacement

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Why not place a WTB here in the forum provided and someone will have one in his pocket I'll bet.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Why not place a WTB here in the forum provided and someone will have one in his pocket I'll bet.

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probably your best chance at finding an original too.

Thank you all for the input. The bolt is marked R but may be an older modification. A member has already reached out to me about a NOS bolt Im glad I checked with the experts

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Originally Posted by EnfieldC

Attachment 121886Attachment 121885Attachment 121887

Hello All,

I acquired a 1903A4 this last summer and am just getting around to researching it and looking into getting the scope put back on. I am in talks with a member about a base and rings and will look into acquiring an M73 scope as one comes available. My question is about the bolt- sorry I didn't get a better picture but its not the normal swept bolt like on most A4s it looks like a modified 03A3 bolt that's been bent and trimmed to clear the scope. It looks like a hack job. The bolt is blued while the rest of the rifle is parkerized. Is this bolt from bubba or does this look like a USGI field fix? The serial dates to April of 43. Thank for any help or input

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This is an image of replica A4 bolt bodies being sold in 2013. I cant tell from your pic whether yours is correct or not, but if it looks like a hack job when seen f2f, then it isnt authentic.

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Ill check all my sniper bolt bodies...they may ALL be bubba bolts...I cant remember, but i thought I had one or two authentic A4 bolts. However, if there were good replicas being sold 8 years ago, can they be distinguished from authentic bolts??!?!?!?!?

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Originally Posted by EnfieldC

Thanks Jim that is what I was looking for. It would make sense the stock appears to have been sanded and now has some shiny finish put on it. Any recommendations on where to source a replacement?

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how aggressive was the sanding? I have lots of stocks with a shinny finish of one kind or another. I just strip them and lather coat after coat of BLO (completely wiped down between coats and allowed to dry at least 24hrs.)
I cant remember for sure, but were the A4 stocks bedded and water proofed, or am I thinking of '03 NM and the USMC Sniper Models of 1943!?!?
In any case, Id try to salvage the stock if is was an original A4 stock.
(BTW, dont mistake me for the well established experts found on this Forum...Ive just got lots of old parts, some I didnt know I had. However, I have been restoring 1903 rifles and M1 Carbines since 2008...about 300 each so far using every reference book I have been able to find, so if I have any small expertise it is there)

Here's a blow up of the bolt handle. Easy to distinguish...