I have to accept, as many have pointed out, that the bolt is an early SHT piece. Lynn Merriweather at CMPverified as much (I think John Beard
was there when we talked). It may have been installed because the handle clears the scope, better. It still grazes the ocular bell when operated, however.
Don Miller says the scope dates to around 1940 and, as I knew, is a commercial version. He has it soaking in penetrant to ease dissasembly. Don says that during the war, an inferior, soft metal (war metal) was used on interior parts that was susceptable to siezing in the tube - that's why the focus ring was stuck. He takes steps to mitigate the problem when he reassembles them.
I believe the sling swivels at New EnglandCustom Guns are correct replicas.
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A guy there said that the front swivel was probably soldered on. So the silver oblong on the barrel is not "fill" but left-over solder. If the barrel is rust-blued, a new swivel can be soldered on and the bluing touched-up. If it is hot-blued, the barrel would have to be re-blued. Don't want to go there. Any advice on that?
Got a nice Pachmayer Classic Leather slip-on recoil pad and some Gun Juice. All I need is the scope and some ammo and I'm ready to take her to the range. I am looking to get a good starter gunsmith screwdriver set. Any recommendations?
Thanks again to all. I'm really enjoying learning about m1903 rifles.