WL3 bolt in a 1919 SA M1903 rifle.

[m1903rifle]

I know that JB's list calls for a WL2 bolt for a 1919 SA M1903 rifle, but I am looking at a 1919 SA M1903 rifle that has a polished WL3 bolt. Might be a 1919NM???, but I wonder about the bolt. Could it possibly be correct?

[Smokeeaterpilot]

I hope you dont mind me asking, is this a rifle that just sold via online auction in the past few days?

I could be mistaken but I believe the 1919 SA NM rifles used J5 heat lots.

[Rick the Librarian]

Serial number?

[John Beard]

I know that JB's list calls for a WL2 bolt for a 1919 SA M1903 rifle, but I am looking at a 1919 SA M1903 rifle that has a polished WL3 bolt. Might be a 1919NM???, but I wonder about the bolt. Could it possibly be correct?

I have found no evidence that WL/3 bolts were used as early as 1919. If the rifle is a 1919 NM rifle, then it's entirely possible that the rifle was re-bolted at Springfield Armory in a subsequent year. National Match rifles were regularly recycled.

J.B.