03A4 Bolt Marking Variations?

[Cass]

I've noticed that the width of the "R" marking on the underside of the bolt handles varies. The bolt that came on my 03A4 from the CMP is a narrower R while other bolts I see have a wider, more elongated R.

Have any of you noticed that? Is there an explanation?

Thanks,
Cass

[Cass]

Here are a few pictures of the markings I am talking about.

Cass

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg277/mjcdmc/Misc/IMG_0954e_zps482c5ea5.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/mjcdmc/media/Misc/IMG_0954e_zps482c5ea5.jpg.html)

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg277/mjcdmc/Misc/IMG_0955e_zps1a82984a.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/mjcdmc/media/Misc/IMG_0955e_zps1a82984a.jpg.html)

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg277/mjcdmc/Misc/wideR_zps12307f43.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/mjcdmc/media/Misc/wideR_zps12307f43.jpg.html)

[chuckindenver]

iv observed 6 types of genuine A4 bolts, based on the time frame of manufacture.

[John Beard]

I've noticed that the width of the "R" marking on the underside of the bolt handles varies. The bolt that came on my 03A4 from the CMP is a narrower R while other bolts I see have a wider, more elongated R.

Have any of you noticed that? Is there an explanation?

Thanks,
Cass

(1) Yes.

(2) The most obvious explanation is that Remington simply changed the marking die.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[Cass]

Gentlemen:

Thank you for the responses. The fun is in the details.

Cass

[John Beard]

Gentlemen:

Thank you for the responses. The fun is in the details.

Cass

As you have come to suspect, each die and style of "R" marking has an associated period of usage.

J.B.

[Cass]

John:

Have you been able to determine which markings are associated with various periods?

Thanks,
Cass

[chuckindenver]

more so on the shape of the bolt handle, and the markings on the back of the bolt handle root tell the time frame, early bolts had a small R, nicely finished, and very hard, most will look purple or have a blue hue to them if alot of original finish, these are also the slickest of the bolts, and fitting is a little harder, as production sped up, bolts were a little rougher, by the end of production, lost of milling and machine marks showed, post production replacement bolts are around as well, iv seen a few that were still new in the box of 4, made by Brown and Sharpe, and another made by another supcontractor, all were marked R under the bolt root as well, only one used a serifed R..i belive it was the B&S, been a while since i was doing hard research on the A4..