1903A4 bolt question

[xarmor]

I was looking over a few A4's today and noticed that out of the six rifles I was looking at there were what appeared to be 3 different styles of bolt handles and 4 had different firing pins. One bolt handle is narrow compared to the others. Does anybody have any information such as types and date ranges for these different styles? I can take pictures of the bolts if needed.

Information

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[John Beard]

Please provide pictures.

Thanks!

J.B.

[Jim Tarleton]

I have seen several different variations (small variances) of the A4 bolt, but they are essentially alike. I am no A4 expert, so hopefully someone with more knowledge of the subject will weigh in.

I have always wondered of the bolts were hand ground from a fixture jig. I assume Remington made all the A4 bolts, but I have discovered that any general assumptions I make about the 03 are generally wrong.

Looking forward to pics of your new A4. My A4 is fun to shoot, but I am not a fan of those POS scopes. The Win A5 is a much better scope in every respect. I actually hunted with an A5 scope this past season (NRA Sporter) and found it to be very nice, even in dim light. That is not true of the A4 scopes in my experience.

Jim

[JGaynor]

I was looking over a few A4's today and noticed that out of the six rifles I was looking at there were what appeared to be 3 different styles of bolt handles and 4 had different firing pins. One bolt handle is narrow compared to the others. Does anybody have any information such as types and date ranges for these different styles? I can take pictures of the bolts if needed.

Xarmor, a variation in firing pins is probably due to a simple swap. It should be easy enough to obtain a Remington A3 pin from one of the parts dealers.

I don't believe there really is any formal difference in bolt handle styles beyond that which might result from a degree of hand finishing in the bending forging, grinding and polishing process.

There are several tipoffs for fake A4 bolts. One is a sharp square corner at the "knuckle"; another is an overly long rounded section between the knob and the end handle; a third is a long. straight flattened shank on the handle.
If you would care to post pics that could help. Also, in fairness, a lot of spare bolts were modified and sold as "low scope bolts" for sporters from the 60's on forward.

Regards,

Jim

[xarmor]

I will post pictures in the morning, thanks.

[xarmor]

Here are a few pictures and link to better pictures. Its probably not uncommon but all 5 bolts have different firing pins. It also looks like there are at least two widths for these, one is 7/16" wide and 3/8" wide. All are marked with an R and punchmarks. Picture 1 compares the two bolt styles. Top bolt is from a 7/43 rifle, bottom is from an 8/43 . Picture 2 is thicker style frrom an 8/43 rifle. Picture 3 thin swept back style, early rifle 1-43. Pic 4 is R stamp that is consistant on all 5 bolts.

http://s160.photobucket.com/albums/t...t=100_1774.jpg

[Chuckindenver]

the polished bolt doesnt appear to be a Genuine A4 bolt. the others are,
iv noticed 5 types of A4 bolt, all look pretty close to each other, with different variations of quality and markings.
i gave someone on the old Jouster my findings and pictures.

[xarmor]

the polished bolt doesnt appear to be a Genuine A4 bolt. the others are,
iv noticed 5 types of A4 bolt, all look pretty close to each other, with different variations of quality and markings.
i gave someone on the old Jouster my findings and pictures.

The bolt that appears poished is actually blued, it is just well worn. This bolt comes from the most original A4 I own. Here are better pictures of it without all of the flash changing the color. This one is 3/8" wide. So I have 2 bolts exactly the same (except firing pin knurling) at 7/16" and 3 bolts that are 3/8" all exactly the same (except firing pin knurling). There seems to be better machining on the earlier bolts and the 3/" bolts are swept back a little more the the thicker bolts. This just never really caught my eye until there wer 6 rifles out together! Thanks for the info. Jim

[Chuckindenver]

looks as though the edges were rounded by polishing, i was only looking at the bolt and not the stiker assembly.

[John Beard]

Here are a few pictures and link to better pictures. Its probably not uncommon but all 5 bolts have different firing pins. It also looks like there are at least two widths for these, one is 7/16" wide and 3/8" wide. All are marked with an R and punchmarks. Picture 1 compares the two bolt styles. Top bolt is from a 7/43 rifle, bottom is from an 8/43 . Picture 2 is thicker style frrom an 8/43 rifle. Picture 3 thin swept back style, early rifle 1-43. Pic 4 is R stamp that is consistant on all 5 bolts.

http://s160.photobucket.com/albums/t...t=100_1774.jpg

Thanks for your pictures. I have no information on serial number or date ranges for the different styles. I will comment, however, that the degree of sweep-back likely varies from bolt-to-bolt and does not necessarily represent a specific time period.

Thanks again for your pictures!

J.B.