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Thread: J5 bolt in serial #1214356 ?

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    Legacy Member 218bee's Avatar
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    J5 bolt in serial #1214356 ?

    Mr. Beardicon.....A co-worker just picked up a beautiful 1903, serial # 1214356.

    It wears all contemporary parts, but has a J5 bolt (marked on safety lug). According to the chart, this is a bit early....The rifle's finish matches pefectly on all major parts, and it wears an 11-20 SA barrel.

    Could this bolt be original to the rifle?.....I doubt it's a NM rifle, as there are no NM parts on it.....but I have no access to SRS records..

    Any help would be appreciated.

    regards

    218bee
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    Hi bee,

    FYI, My 1212817 ~ SA 11-20 has a J6 bolt (marked on top root of handle).

    DW (219zipper)

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    Advisory Panel John Beard's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 218bee View Post
    Mr. Beardicon.....A co-worker just picked up a beautiful 1903, serial # 1214356.

    It wears all contemporary parts, but has a J5 bolt (marked on safety lug). According to the chart, this is a bit early....The rifle's finish matches pefectly on all major parts, and it wears an 11-20 SA barrel.

    Could this bolt be original to the rifle?.....I doubt it's a NM rifle, as there are no NM parts on it.....but I have no access to SRS records..

    Any help would be appreciated.

    regards

    218bee

    The bolt is not contemporary with the rifle's serial number by more than a year. And I can prove that. The bolt, however, may still be original to the rifle. SA may have scavenged the bolt from the bottom of a parts bin or perhaps another rifle. It wouldn't be the first time.

    Hope this helps.

    J.B.

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    Legacy Member 218bee's Avatar
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    Thread Starter

    Thanks Guys....

    Just for kicks I advertised a swap for a J6 bolt on the shopper.....

    I appreciate all your time with this..


    218bee

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    If the present bolt matches, as far as color and finish, I would be hesitant to replace it with a "correct" bolt of dissimlar finish and color.
    People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.

    --George Orwell

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    if it aint broke dont fix it.

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    I concur with RtL and Chuckindenver. If the bolt matches the rifle, I'd leave it in there. As I mentioned in my previous posting, it wouldn't be the first time that SA scavenged a bolt from the bottom of a parts bin. Although remote, the mismatch is not so great as to completely rule out the possibility of originality.

    J.B.

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    Legacy Member 218bee's Avatar
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    I agree....The bolt matches perfectly with the rest of the rifle, .....I'll relay this to my friend....I'm sure he'll concur...

    Many thanks again

    218bee (Dan in NY)

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