NS marked bolts

[John Beard]

Thanks for the input.
Why the high ratio of NS to DHT bolts?

The high ratio of NS to DHT bolts probably had something to do with availability of steel.

Receivers and bolts were made from two different sizes of steel bar stock. So, there was no relationship between receivers and bolts with respect to the steel bars they were made from. Some of Rock Island's steel also failed to pass chemical alloy tests in early 1918 and was rejected. Perhaps the rejected steel was that used for making bolts. The documents are not clear.

In any event, RIA DHT bolts are downright scarce.

J.B.