Straightening a bent bolt

[clarkmilitaria]

Hello,

I'm looking at a Type 2 Arisaka paratrooper rifle, it has the mum and all numbers match. Unfortunately, it has been sporterized. The sporterization goes as far as bending the bolt to roughly a 45 degree bend, ruining the foreend of the stock and replacing the buttplate. If I can make any attempt at restoring it however, I think it's worth it since the rifle is pretty uncommon and interesting, and if these few things are fixed it could be pretty valuable. My main concern is with the bolt though. What would be involved with straightening a bent bolt? Any ideas about how much it would cost from a good gunsmith? The foreend will be another difficult issue, but I'm hoping a competent woodworker could modify a Type 99 stock to fit my needs. Thanks in advance for your help.

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[CINDERS]

I think you should add handle after bolt if its gotta bent bolt then gads what gorilla did that!

[Peter Laidler]

Bolt handle. What you'll have to remember is that every time you bend steel, it lengthens AND slims down due to......., I won't go into it but it does. And now you want to bend it back again. Guess what......? It lengthens AGAIN, albeit slightly but this can sometimes affect the geometry. Not that a bolt handle will but something to ponder over

[tiriaq]

A good 'smith should be able to restore the bolt to a reasonable representation of its original configuration, if all that was done was heating the shank and making a simple bent. Keep in mind that an oxy-acetylene torch is going to be involved. A lot would depend on exactly what was done. If it came to it, the bolt handle could be replaced.
Might be an idea to pick up another bolt body, just in case.
Given the rarity of this rifle, a quality restoration is warranted.

[clarkmilitaria]

Sorry, I meant bolt handle. And it is due to the rarity of the rifle that I'm considering restoring it, but I was concerned, as Peter brought up, with the idea of bending something back that has already been bent. The bolt matches the rifle, so I would not want to replace the bolt handle. But you do think that in the hands of a good gunsmith this could be a successful procedure? Thanks for your input.

[tiriaq]

I think that restoration of the handle would be possible.
A lot would depend on exactly what was done to it.
If the handle cannot be straightened, it could be replaced. You have seen military bolts that have had their handles cut off, and new handles suitable for use with a scope welded on. No reason that a similar procedure could not be used to restore a military pattern handle.
Where is the serial number? If it would be lost, then simply replacing the bolt body would be an option.