Springfield M1903 Bolt Sweep Question

**CTFish** · August 2nd, 2009, 03:28 PM

Can anyone post a definitive comparison photo(s) of a straight bolt (low number) vs swept-back bolt (high number)? I understand from the CMP website that only the high number swept-back bolts are safe to fire.

And I recognize that bolts can be swapped across rifles, so if I have a low-number bolt, I'll just get a new one ...

Thank you.

**brian** · August 2nd, 2009, 03:51 PM

it's pretty straight forward.
if you look at the SB from the top, the handle will be 90* off the body.
the BB has a 10* kick to it.

the straight bolts are out there, not real common though. they were culled out during overhauls and inspections.

eta: i think i have a pic of a straight bolt on the hard drive somewhere.

this is not my pic, but one i found on the net and kept, of a unique part.

**CTFish** · August 2nd, 2009, 09:10 PM

Thank you, that's it, I have a straight bolt. Doesn't match the rifle I figure, since it's a high-number receiver with 1918 barrel.

I assume that I'll find some collector who wants a straight bolt ... and purchase a swept-bolt. Where can I get a complete late number swept-bolt assembly?

Edit: Actually the bolt has an R mark, and if that makes it a Remington and makes it safe, maybe it can stay.