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Thread: Correct Bolt for Model 1903 N.B.A. Sporter

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  1. #1
    Legacy Member Lt.AldoRaine's Avatar
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    Correct Bolt for Model 1903 N.B.A. Sporter

    Hello,

    I'm new to the forums and looking for some clarification on my Model 1903 N.B.A. Sporter. My father originally purchased this rifle in 1989 and has paperwork from SA confirming its manufactured date and who it was sold to. It also said, "It is possible that this rifle was originally issued as an NB model, but there is no way to substantiate this". According to the Flaydermans Guide, the Serial#1271963, falls in the serial # range of the 1903 N.B.A. Sporter, which only 589 were made.

    An interested buyer claims the bolt is Remington and not original SA. The top of the bolt handle is stamped J5, underneath there's the Rockwell Test punch, and the letter R. The top of the bolt has the serial # electro-penciled, but only the last 5 digits. Research shows, SA stamped their bolts J5, around 1918, which is well before when this rifle was manufactured. Also, I came across a 1903 NM on gunbroker, serial# 1272191. The bolt handle is stamped W3L, underneath the Rockwell Punc and the letter X, which is reflective with mid 1920's manufacturing.

    My question, is this a Remington bolt, that the original owner could have replaced, or a SA bolt, that was picked out of the bolt bin, during manufacturing?





    Thank you
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.
    Last edited by Lt.AldoRaine; 04-09-2020 at 08:52 PM.

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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Legacy Member pickax's Avatar
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    The buyer is mistaken. This site is rock solid. This link is straight to your j5 bolt.
    http://www.vishooter.net/slc6_2008.html
    Please navigate the rest of the site as well.

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  5. #3
    Legacy Member Lt.AldoRaine's Avatar
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    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by pickax View Post
    The buyer is mistaken. This site is rock solid. This link is straight to your j5 bolt.
    http://www.vishooter.net/slc6_2008.html
    Please navigate the rest of the site as well.
    Thank you, for the link. Do you know what the letter R, under the bolt handle represents?

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    Legacy Member AFJon's Avatar
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    The gentleman that created the chart inspects most of the 1903 an 1903a3 the CMPicon sells.

    contact via the CMP forum below

    CMP Forums - View Profile: John Beard
    Former Prairie Submarine Commander
    "To Err is Human, To Forgive is Divine. Neither of Which is SAC Policy."

  7. #5
    Contributing Member Promo's Avatar
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    The serial number of your rifle is listed in SRS with the following entry:
    1271963NM 092726DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
    Per SRS your rifle therefore would be a NM rifle sold on 27th September 1926. Could you possibly share pictures of the whole rifle?

    I'll ask John Beardicon to possibly reply in here, he anyway is active on this forum as well.

  8. #6
    Advisory Panel John Beard's Avatar
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    The buyer is mistaken. Your rifle has its correct original bolt. The J 5 bolt originally appeared in the 1918-19 period and the steel lot code was stamped beneath the safety lug, not atop the handle. The J 5 bolt then re-appeared in the 1926-28 period, but the steel lot code was stamped atop the handle and the lettering font was different. Your bolt exhibits the correct location and lettering font for the 1926-28 period. The "R" is a subinspection mark and has no relationship with Remington. Follow the link.

    J 5 Bolt steel lot code

    Stay safe!

    J.B.
    Last edited by John Beard; 04-10-2020 at 04:35 PM.

  9. #7
    Legacy Member Lt.AldoRaine's Avatar
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    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by John Beardicon View Post
    The buyer is mistaken. Your rifle has its correct original bolt. The J 5 bolt originally appeared in the 1918-19 period. The J 5 bolt then re-appeared in the 1926-28 period, but the lettering font was different. Your bolt exhibits the correct lettering font for the 1926-28 period. The "R" is a subinspection mark and has no relationship with Remington. Follow the link.

    J 5 Bolt steel lot code

    Stay safe!

    J.B.
    Thank you, for your input. My other question, is it normal for only a portion of the serial# to be electro-penciled, on the bolt? I’ve seen and heard the whole serial# would be included?

    Thank you

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    Contributing Member rcathey's Avatar
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    I would love to see pictures of this whole rifle if you get a chance!

  11. #9
    Advisory Panel John Beard's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lt.AldoRaine View Post
    Thank you, for your input. My other question, is it normal for only a portion of the serial# to be electro-penciled, on the bolt? I’ve seen and heard the whole serial# would be included?

    Thank you
    Yes. When Springfield first began serializing bolts, they only put about the last four digits on the bolt. Later bolts have the entire serial number. Your bolt is correct.

    Stay safe!

    J.B.
    Last edited by John Beard; 04-10-2020 at 04:34 PM.

  12. #10
    Legacy Member Lt.AldoRaine's Avatar
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    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by rcathey View Post
    I would love to see pictures of this whole rifle if you get a chance!
    Here are a couple pics, the rifle is a real beauty. As I stated before, I have the paperwork from SA confirming the sale, to the original owner. The original owner had checkering added to the forearm and pistol grip, and a plastic cap installed at the bottom of the pistol grip. Also, there's an ID tag attached to the rear sling loop, of the shooting range, the individual belonged to? I'm curious about the value, Flaydermans Guide has it ranging from $5,000-Exc to $2,750-VG, apparently 589 were made. How much would the personal modifications, devalue the rifle?




    Thank you

    ---------- Post added at 05:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:39 PM ----------

    Quote Originally Posted by Promo View Post
    The serial number of your rifle is listed in SRS with the following entry:
    1271963NM 092726DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
    Per SRS your rifle therefore would be a NM rifle sold on 27th September 1926. Could you possibly share pictures of the whole rifle?

    I'll ask John Beardicon to possibly reply in here, he anyway is active on this forum as well.
    I posted pictures, of the rifle.

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