unmarked bolt S.C. 03A3

[aris]

I have a S.C. 03A3 with a barrel date of 5/43 receiver #3704893. I have been reading about possible bolt failure on older , low number bolts. There are no dates or numbers on the bolt except for Rs on various removable small parts safety lever, etc... There are three small tick/hash marks on the safety lug. Looks like this [ I II ] . Should I be concerned about the bolts strength. Please help me I.D. Thanks for any info you have. Aris.

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[John Beard]

I have a S.C. 03A3 with a barrel date of 5/43 receiver #3704893. I have been reading about possible bolt failure on older , low number bolts. There are no dates or numbers on the bolt except for Rs on various removable small parts safety lever, etc... There are three small tick/hash marks on the safety lug. Looks like this [ I II ] . Should I be concerned about the bolts strength. Please help me I.D. Thanks for any info you have. Aris.

The bolt you describe is a casehardened (low number) bolt made at Springfield Armory in 1917. These bolts are generally considered unsafe for shooting, although the Army never withdrew them from service.

For shooting, you should obtain a bolt with a handle having a rearward sweep in addition to the downward bend. If you seek a Smith-Corona bolt, look for one having the rearward sweep with an "X" atop the handle.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[aris]

J B, Thanks for the info.Not what I WANTED to hear but at least the mystery is solved! Have you ever heard any stories or reports of a low number bolt actually blowing up/ breaking. Aris.

[John Beard]

J B, Thanks for the info.Not what I WANTED to hear but at least the mystery is solved! Have you ever heard any stories or reports of a low number bolt actually blowing up/ breaking. Aris.

I don't readily recall any instances of low number bolts letting go. But, I have heard of lugs cracking.

You should be able to buy a serviceable curved handle bolt for less than $20. It ain't worth the risk, even if very small.

J.B.

[Calif-Steve]

Springfield Sporters has mint bolt bodies for cheap. Get one or two.

[bb1]

Julian Hatchers book "Hatchers Notebook" goes into detail about the 03's that blew up. They were from Springfiel and Rpck Island. He includes the serial numbers of the involved rifles. None of them were the 03-A3's (which were made by Remington and Smith Corona) Read the book. Not much of a plot but very fascinating.