Did 1903 stocks have the cutout for the bolt handle?

[Jeffrimerman]

Hey guys,
I'm wondering if my RIA actioned receiver has the correct bolt. I have a 1903a3 that doesn't have the cutout on the stock and one that does and my 1903 stock also does but this is a replacement stock from the 40s. Just wondering what was standard or maybe there were both types of bolts. Mine was tapped for a scope so maybe it has to have that type of bolt handle if I use the scope mounts. Thanks

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[champ0608]

The only ones the government made with the cutout were for the 1903a4 sniper rifle. If your cutouts are original, it makes them very valuable. More likely though that they were modified at some point in civilian life. A picture of the cutout would be very easy to identify if the cutout is original or a modification.

Furthermore, the only 1903 bolts that were bent by the government for scope clearance were for the 1903a4.

[RCS]

The 1941 Rock Island scant stocks did have a manufactured notch cut out for the bolt. These stocks were only manufactured for the Model 1903 receivers & barrels not the model 1903A3.

While as deep as the 1903A4 notch they were still notchedAttachment 113431Attachment 113432Attachment 113433

[Tom in N.J.]

I believe the last line should read "While not as deep as the 1903A4 notch, they were still notched"...

[browningautorifle]

"While not as deep as the 1903A4 notch, they were still notched"...

That was what I thought but don't have one now to check.

[ed skeels]

Did not the Marine's notch theirs's?

[champ0608]

Did not the Marine's notch theirs's?

No, there was no need to, as the bolts weren't bent. Here's my original USMC Sniper, one of the very few known original versions. First a picture of the opened bolt, with Christmas decor background, and second, a more professional full rifle shot.

[champ0608]

In reflection I may have made my post regarding the Marine Unertl Sniper Rifles a bit hastily. And I should clarify that post before confusing one fact of the USMC Sniper rifles.

No, the stocks weren't notched in the sense that an 03a4 stock is notched to accommodate a bent bolt, but the Marine Rifle Team DID make a small divot on the stock on many of their rifles, such as this one: