Help with RIA 1903

[browningautorifle]

Is it just me

No, it looks like a straight bolt...

[EricD1983]

Sorry...totally not a milsurp guy (as you may have already figured out). What is the significance of a straight bolt? Good or bad thing?

[Doco overboard]

In General terms, the appearance of the bolt handle and the degree to which it sweeps rearward may indicate whether the bolt itself is a single heat treat variety or double heat treat example. Bolt handles that sweep rearwards have been identified as the DHT type although some later straight bolts intercede the DHT period at time of manufacture. The bolt type that accompanies a particular serial range would indicate being correct for the period when the receiver was made. DHT bolts are preferred for SA over# 800,000 shooters because it is believed they were not embrittled during the manufacturing process. SHT bolts are known for their more fluid contact with the receiver ways when being manipulated and are smoother. All o3A3 bolts are DHT unless they have been replaced with something else. Some organizations do not allow the SHT variety for safety purposes because it is impossible to detect the possibility of being over-hardened without a destructive test.

[Calif-Steve]

Not that reality matters, BUT the Army never recalled the early bolts. The bolts were not the problem, it was the receivers that were the problem. Just a historical fact.