+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Did 1903 stocks have the cutout for the bolt handle?

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member Jeffrimerman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Last On
    07-01-2022 @ 12:43 PM
    Location
    Pasadena, CA
    Posts
    34
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:32 PM

    Did 1903 stocks have the cutout for the bolt handle?

    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
    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.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    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.
     

  3. #2
    Legacy Member champ0608's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Last On
    03-05-2024 @ 09:03 AM
    Location
    Arizona
    Age
    36
    Posts
    101
    Real Name
    Jamie
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:32 PM
    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.

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    Legacy Member RCS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    Today @ 05:15 PM
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    4,314
    Real Name
    Robert Seccombe
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    06:32 PM

    notch cut out for bolt handle

    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

  6. Thank You to RCS For This Useful Post:


  7. #4
    Contributing Member Tom in N.J.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    Today @ 05:15 PM
    Location
    Nothern New Jersey, USA
    Posts
    605
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:32 PM
    I believe the last line should read "While not as deep as the 1903A4 notch, they were still notched"...

  8. Thank You to Tom in N.J. For This Useful Post:

    RCS

  9. #5
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 01:16 PM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,838
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:32 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Tom in N.J. View Post
    "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.
    Regards, Jim

  10. #6
    Contributing Member ed skeels's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Last On
    Today @ 04:46 PM
    Location
    columbus nc
    Age
    76
    Posts
    385
    Real Name
    ed skeels
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:32 PM
    Did not the Marine's notch theirs's?

  11. #7
    Legacy Member champ0608's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Last On
    03-05-2024 @ 09:03 AM
    Location
    Arizona
    Age
    36
    Posts
    101
    Real Name
    Jamie
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:32 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ed skeels View Post
    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.



    Last edited by champ0608; 12-22-2020 at 08:05 PM.

  12. Thank You to champ0608 For This Useful Post:


  13. #8
    Legacy Member champ0608's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Last On
    03-05-2024 @ 09:03 AM
    Location
    Arizona
    Age
    36
    Posts
    101
    Real Name
    Jamie
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:32 PM
    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:


  14. Thank You to champ0608 For This Useful Post:


+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. 03-A3 bolt handle markings
    By Cwick57 in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 06-17-2019, 10:17 PM
  2. Why the Slide Handle Dents on Stocks
    By painter777 in forum M1/M2 Carbine
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 09-01-2018, 04:31 PM
  3. Bolt Handle
    By armabill in forum Pattern 1913/1914 and M1917 Rifles
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 12-23-2010, 11:02 AM
  4. Rust on bolt handle - options?
    By RangeRover in forum Gunsmithing for Old Milsurps
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 01-02-2010, 09:45 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks