NS marked bolts

[MIL rifle1]

Here are some pics of the bolt:

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/h...s/100_2003.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/h...s/100_2007.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/h...s/100_2009.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/h...s/100_2010.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/h...s/100_2011.jpg

[John Beard]

Here are some pics of the bolt:

You have a Rock Island Nickel Steel bolt made in the late 1918-early 1919 period. The bolt sleeve/safety lock assembly are from a WWII Smith-Corona '03-A3.

The bolt, if in good condition, should be safe for shooting.

Hope this helps. Thanks for the pictures!

J.B.

[MIL rifle1]

Your welcome, and thanks for all the info. I love this site, you guys are always so helpful. I wish there was some kind of get together so all 1903/a3 enthusiast could get together share info, and show off their rifles. I guess it's called the internet. Thanks, Paul.

[Calif-Steve]

All 3 commerical manufacturers were using nickel steel to make the M1917 rifle. Did Winchester supply RIA with a small amount of nickel steel in 1918? Exactly how and why did RIA start using nickel steel so quickly in 1918? Who assisted with the nickel steel use? Anybody know for certain?

[John Beard]

All 3 commerical manufacturers were using nickel steel to make the M1917 rifle. Did Winchester supply RIA with a small amount of nickel steel in 1918? Exactly how and why did RIA start using nickel steel so quickly in 1918? Who assisted with the nickel steel use? Anybody know for certain?

(1) No. Winchester did not supply RIA with nickel steel in 1918.

(2) RIA was able to switch over to nickel steel quickly because their steel inventory was very low. Nickel steel had the advantage of being somewhat insensitive to heat treating temperature whereas carbon steel was extremely sensitive to heat treating temperature.

(3) I'm not sure I understand your third question.

(4) The information you inquire about was published in the U.S. Martial Arms Collector magazine about 10 years ago. I was co-author.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[Calif-Steve]

John: I heard a rather long story about a Winchester engineer who was in the Army Reserve (circa 1918). The story goes he was shipped off to RIA in 1918 and helped RIA with the nickel steel production. I don't know much more then that. I really don't know if the stroy is true. Interesting, at least.

[John Beard]

John: I heard a rather long story about a Winchester engineer who was in the Army Reserve (circa 1918). The story goes he was shipped off to RIA in 1918 and helped RIA with the nickel steel production. I don't know much more then that. I really don't know if the stroy is true. Interesting, at least.

I have no information on a Winchester engineer working at RIA in 1918.

When the heat treatment problem erupted, a special team headed by Col. W. P. Barba was formed to investigate. Barba, I am led to believe, worked out of the Ordnance office in Washington, D.C.

Barba dispatched a special investigative team to RIA under the command of Maj. R. P. Johnson. After Maj. Johnson's team completed their investigation, they recommended in mid-March, 1918, that RIA be permitted to switch over to 3-1/2% nickel steel. Their recommendation was approved and orders were immediately placed with the Crucible Steel Co. and the Illinois Steel Co. for nickel steel to be delivered in 6-8 weeks. The first nickel steel receiver was serialized on August 1, 1918, and bore S/N 319921. My investigation, however, reveals that RIA didn't switchover to nickel steel en masse until about 60,000 receivers later.

RIA had lots of heat-treating expertise and capability of their own. And nickel steel was not particularly difficult to heat treat. I would, therefore, question their need for assistance.

Perhaps RIA required assistance with machining nickel steel. Nickel steel, I believe, is a bit more difficult to machine than carbon steel.

Hope this helps.

J.B.