Early/ Late SA 1903 Salvageable? Input Needed.

[Salt Flat]

HOH, That's coming together. It will make a nice display with your Uncle's picture. Salt Flat

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I found a few more bits. Parkerizd but they will do until better ones come along. Waiting on front sight and retainer and at least I can give her a go. Also found a very nice uncut 1905 bayonet sans the correct wooden grips. So now the hunt begins for grips and the correct scabbard. Not a money maker for sure but it sure is fun. Now if I can get my courage up to attach the bubba scope base holes.

[WarPig1976]

Lookin good,,,,


The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.

Douglas MacArthur

[Fred G.]

What was your reason for choosing to put a scant grip stock on your rifle?

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

What was your reason for choosing to put a scant grip stock on your rifle?

Price,and price alone. $30 vs the $170 for repro and $200+ for original takeoffs of unknown quality (E-bay,) or $75 to $100 (Sarco,Numrich). I would much prefer an original WWI vintage stock and will continue to keep a lookout for a good match with matching patina and strong markings. I did the same with the parked metal parts. I wanted the oppertunity to shoot the rifle and avoid having an incomplete rifle laying about.

[Fred G.]

Yes, I understand that. I think that if you keep looking on eBay, eventually you will catch one up for auction or sale that hasn't been culled from a collection but is really nice and solid. I've seen them as well as the WWI hand guards, although it appears you have one of those already. I seem to find a lot of good stuff on eBay. Keep trying. It'll be worth the investment to have the rifle back in proper form again.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Finally got a saftey installed and low and behold the saftey would not function. Researched threads here and identified the issue. The bolt is not closing completely due to a conflict where the bolt handle meets the stock. Looked up some pictures of the bolt and what do you know incorrect bolt handle. Is this an A4 bolt or a really nice gusmithing job?Perhaps if it is an A4 I can sell it to put me back in black and replace it with the correct one. Could I be so luckey? Very fun project either way.
Cannot believe some of the sharp eyes here did not catch the bolt.

[Rick the Librarian]

No R on the bolt, so I would have to think this is a "modified" one, not a "real" M1903A4 bolt.