Help with 03 Bolt Marking

[RonLey]

I have been trying to find the answer but have been unsuccessful. The marking on the upper part of the bolt appears as a P. It is punch marked on the lower side and no other markings on the bolt. I can't find this marking as a heat lot so please educate me.

Thanks

Ron
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[Rick the Librarian]

Does your bolt have a "swept" or "straight" handle? If the latter, look on all sides of the safety lug, located about half the distance down the bolt body.

[RonLey]

Rick,

It is a swept handle and there are not any marks on the safety lug. It's a 895XXX with a Avis 1/19 barrel that has a TE of 1. I'm thinking that this rifle is an NRA sales rifle. I posted some more pics of the bolt. Thanks for any ideas.

[Rick the Librarian]

The "square" safety lug dates it to WWII. That isn't a faint "X" under or near the P?

[Randy A]

Far as I've ever seen Brown & Sharp (B&S) were the only mfr that turned out the square safety lug bolts??? It is definitely an A3 bolt though, I can see the recess in the body opposite the safety lug.

[m1903rifle]

Smith-Corona also made replacement bolts with the square safety lug.

[Rick the Librarian]

The rifle is not an NRA Sales rifle - it was made during WWI and, as I recall, all sales were suspended in 1916.

The first picture has what looks like the "ghost" of an "X" next to the P - wondering if this is a late SC bolt.

[RonLey]

Rick

I looked again last night with a magnifier and don't see an "X".

[John Beard]

Your bolt appears to be a Remington bolt made on their late-WWII spare parts contract. And the "P" is a poorly-stamped "R".

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[Rick the Librarian]

With the "square" safety lug? Never knew they made those. SC, yes ...

[John Beard]

With the "square" safety lug? Never knew they made those. SC, yes ...

Here's your opportunity to learn something new. Let's see if it sticks!

J.B.

[Jan'42]

I have seen and owned Remington bolts with the square safety lug.

also, remember that CC bolts have the square safety lug.

and whilst the BF steel SA bolts DO have the "dish" to the safety lug, near the end, that dish get's shallower comparing my BF 46 to a BF 31 lot bolts is interesting.

[Rick the Librarian]

I've seen the "square" safety lug on CC-marked bolt (Commercial Controls) and late SC bolts, but never as a Remington-marked bolt.

That is why I say I am a "student" of the M1903, NOT an "expert" - you learn something new all the time!!

[John Beard]

Commercial Controls (marked "CC") and Brown & Sharpe (marked "B&S") bolts have square safety lugs. And the last bolts made at Springfield Armory (marked "REM 8620" and "8620") also have square safety lugs.

J.B.

[Rick the Librarian]

Commercial Controls (marked "CC") and Brown & Sharpe (marked "B&S") bolts have square safety lugs. And the last bolts made at Springfield Armory (marked "REM 8620" and "8620") also have square safety lugs.

J.B.

Thanks for the clarification. I have seen those, but never an R-marked bolt with that characteristic.