Correct Bolt for Model 1903 N.B.A. Sporter

[Lt.AldoRaine]

Hello,

I'm new to the forums and looking for some clarification on my Model 1903 N.B.A. Sporter. My father originally purchased this rifle in 1989 and has paperwork from SA confirming its manufactured date and who it was sold to. It also said, "It is possible that this rifle was originally issued as an NB model, but there is no way to substantiate this". According to the Flaydermans Guide, the Serial#1271963, falls in the serial # range of the 1903 N.B.A. Sporter, which only 589 were made.

An interested buyer claims the bolt is Remington and not original SA. The top of the bolt handle is stamped J5, underneath there's the Rockwell Test punch, and the letter R. The top of the bolt has the serial # electro-penciled, but only the last 5 digits. Research shows, SA stamped their bolts J5, around 1918, which is well before when this rifle was manufactured. Also, I came across a 1903 NM on gunbroker, serial# 1272191. The bolt handle is stamped W3L, underneath the Rockwell Punc and the letter X, which is reflective with mid 1920's manufacturing.

My question, is this a Remington bolt, that the original owner could have replaced, or a SA bolt, that was picked out of the bolt bin, during manufacturing?





Thank you

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[pickax]

The buyer is mistaken. This site is rock solid. This link is straight to your j5 bolt.
http://www.vishooter.net/slc6_2008.html
Please navigate the rest of the site as well.

[Lt.AldoRaine]

The buyer is mistaken. This site is rock solid. This link is straight to your j5 bolt.
http://www.vishooter.net/slc6_2008.html
Please navigate the rest of the site as well.

Thank you, for the link. Do you know what the letter R, under the bolt handle represents?

[AFJon]

The gentleman that created the chart inspects most of the 1903 an 1903a3 the CMP sells.

contact via the CMP forum below

CMP Forums - View Profile: John Beard

[Promo]

The serial number of your rifle is listed in SRS with the following entry:
1271963NM 092726DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
Per SRS your rifle therefore would be a NM rifle sold on 27th September 1926. Could you possibly share pictures of the whole rifle?

I'll ask John Beard to possibly reply in here, he anyway is active on this forum as well.

[John Beard]

The buyer is mistaken. Your rifle has its correct original bolt. The J 5 bolt originally appeared in the 1918-19 period and the steel lot code was stamped beneath the safety lug, not atop the handle. The J 5 bolt then re-appeared in the 1926-28 period, but the steel lot code was stamped atop the handle and the lettering font was different. Your bolt exhibits the correct location and lettering font for the 1926-28 period. The "R" is a subinspection mark and has no relationship with Remington. Follow the link.

J 5 Bolt steel lot code

Stay safe!

J.B.

[Lt.AldoRaine]

The buyer is mistaken. Your rifle has its correct original bolt. The J 5 bolt originally appeared in the 1918-19 period. The J 5 bolt then re-appeared in the 1926-28 period, but the lettering font was different. Your bolt exhibits the correct lettering font for the 1926-28 period. The "R" is a subinspection mark and has no relationship with Remington. Follow the link.

J 5 Bolt steel lot code

Stay safe!

J.B.

Thank you, for your input. My other question, is it normal for only a portion of the serial# to be electro-penciled, on the bolt? I’ve seen and heard the whole serial# would be included?

Thank you

[rcathey]

I would love to see pictures of this whole rifle if you get a chance!

[John Beard]

Thank you, for your input. My other question, is it normal for only a portion of the serial# to be electro-penciled, on the bolt? I’ve seen and heard the whole serial# would be included?

Thank you

Yes. When Springfield first began serializing bolts, they only put about the last four digits on the bolt. Later bolts have the entire serial number. Your bolt is correct.

Stay safe!

J.B.

[Lt.AldoRaine]

I would love to see pictures of this whole rifle if you get a chance!

Here are a couple pics, the rifle is a real beauty. As I stated before, I have the paperwork from SA confirming the sale, to the original owner. The original owner had checkering added to the forearm and pistol grip, and a plastic cap installed at the bottom of the pistol grip. Also, there's an ID tag attached to the rear sling loop, of the shooting range, the individual belonged to? I'm curious about the value, Flaydermans Guide has it ranging from $5,000-Exc to $2,750-VG, apparently 589 were made. How much would the personal modifications, devalue the rifle?




Thank you

---------- Post added at 05:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:39 PM ----------

The serial number of your rifle is listed in SRS with the following entry:
1271963NM 092726DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
Per SRS your rifle therefore would be a NM rifle sold on 27th September 1926. Could you possibly share pictures of the whole rifle?

I'll ask John Beard to possibly reply in here, he anyway is active on this forum as well.

I posted pictures, of the rifle.