03A3 with Straight Bolt?

[MilSurpFan]

Hi All,
Finally got my 03A3 home from the waiting period.

In the mean time I found out about straight vrs. swept bolts.

I seem to have a straight bolt...

Does this mean the gun should not be fired?

I understand that straight bolt were put into some 03A3's. But that straight bolts are considered single heat treat.

Seems the CMP is saying don't use them.

So did I just screw up buying this gun?

Rifle Sales - M1903/M190A3

Information

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[Dad]

Any markings/stampings on the bolt body?
Here is a great reference link.

http://www.vishooter.net/m1903.html

D.

[OrderlySgt]

PM sent

[MilSurpFan]

Any markings/stampings on the bolt body?
Here is a great reference link.

http://www.vishooter.net/m1903.html

D.

I'll have to check more closely. I don't have it sitting here with me. I guess this is a good excuse to break down and buy a digital camera over the holidays, so I can post some pix.

[MilSurpFan]

Any markings/stampings on the bolt body?
Here is a great reference link.

http://www.vishooter.net/m1903.html

D.

Not sitting with the rifle at the moment, but I notice vishooter keeps a list of serial to barrel dates. I guess I could send him mine for the record? I might as well "join the club" of M1903/A3 historians.

[MilSurpFan]

Ok, I think this is where I got off track... the single treat bolts would have to be SA or RIA, true? Since this one has an "R" on it, it's a Remington bolt and thus not part of the problem bolts?

I never realized there was so much to know about Springfields and the variations. For years I've been thinking... OK... there's O3's, A3's and some minor variations. Geez, seems like there's no such thing as a "typical" anything with Milsurps.

[Rick the Librarian]

No "straight" bolt would have been original to a M1903A4. Most of the time the marking that identifies the bolt type is on the safety lug, located about halfway up the bolt body.

[Crashyoung]

Or on the base of the bolt handle or where ever the technician was
told to stamp them. But the safety lug is the best place to start.

http://www.vishooter.net/m1903.html is a good place to get info.

[Salt Flat]

There are some straight bolts that are double heat treated and even some nickel steel. These were somewhat of a transitional bolt made in 1918-19. One that I have is marked Rlo and according to Vishooter web page it is a 1918 Rock Island bolt of the nickel steel type. There are several other codes listed that are straight handles and either dht or nickel steel. Salt Flat