The Nicest Savage No.4 Mk1* I've Ever Seen

[SpikeDD]

Hesalite: I don't know what the odds of finding a "3" bolt head on a virtually unused No. 4 would be but I wouldn't think it would be high. On the other hand, a former owner/ tinkerer might have put a "3" on it to tighten up headspace to the lower limits and for no real reason. I have a Longbranch with a really big "3" on it that was set up by a target shooter to just barely allow the bolt to close on thicker rimmed brass. Gauging it showed I could easily get acceptable headspace with a normal "1" or "2" bolt head. Getting back to your rifle, the only thing I see in the photos that I wonder about is the strap at the rear of the forend. To me that doesn't look like the way they came from the factory. Is the forend Savage stamped?

Ridolpho

I wouldn't doubt a bolt head would be changed out to tighten up head space but many rifles left the armory with No.3 bolt heads. I couldn't venture a guess as to the number, but in this case, a Savage marked No.3 bolt head being found that indexed correctly AND head spaced correctly? A No.3 bolt head is difficult enough to find to begin with...what are the odds of finding a Savage marked one that was right on the first go?

AS to the rear strap on the forend....I have seen this type of fitment before. I don't know if it is something done from new or a "re shape" of some kind to fit a new pin. It also appears to be sanded along with the contour of the wood.