Value of a 03-A4 bolt

[thorin6]

I picked the bolt up about a year ago, from a fellow collector who mentioned he had uncovered it while digging for something else. I'd sold him some things he really needed, so after about six months of searching for it, he found it and sold it to me. At the time I was trying to build a M1903A4 clone out of a rebarreled M1903A3. I had picked up an original scope mount for $50, a couple of rings for about $40, etc. I have a turned-down bolt and a civilian mount, so at this point I don't plan on using the original pieces, but I intend to hold on to them as a contingency. I have a 330C Weaver scope, and will probably mount it, but if I shoot the rifle, I'll use a later Weaver J2.5 that I picked up with the rings.

[GregM]

Did you verify authenticity or did the seller? Very, very easy to fool most people after a nice repark.

I verified, examined both very closely with my semi-trained eye. Park was very old, not new at all. I'd bet my left little toe they were absolutely legit. Seller has a boatload of milsury parts, including about 75-100 M1 op-rods. Seller was wanting $400 for each one.

GregM

[jgaynor]

I verified, examined both very closely with my semi-trained eye. Park was very old, not new at all. I'd bet my left little toe they were absolutely legit. Seller has a boatload of milsury parts, including about 75-100 M1 op-rods. Seller was wanting $400 for each one.

GregM

There were tons of spare A3 bolts left over. Some of those have been modified into low scope bolts or something approximating an A4 Bolt. From the ones I have seen the real hard part is getting the shape of the handle right. Most of the time that detail is blown. Not suggesting the bolts you are looking at are bad but before handing over any money study the handles closely and try to compare them to known good ones.

Regards,

Jim

[GregM]

Pics added to my original post. Check them out and advise.....

GregM

[Mike D]

I say no. Photos are not great, but still NO. Check out the profile of my original.

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[GregM]

I say no. Photos are not great, but still NO. Check out the profile of my original.

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I'm not really seeing the difference. Is it just in the bend, or is it specific milling marks that should be present, or thickness within the bend? I obtained some better pics tonight of one of the bolts...show me what i'm looking at here please.

GregM

[xarmor]

Parkerization looks a little different but I think it is a real A4 bolt. There are several differnt variations of the bolts, I think if you search this site there was a thread about the variations. I sold a near mint bolt about 2 years ago that was complete (firing pin, etc) for $400. Took a couple of weeks on GB. Below are two variations. I believe the parkerized (1st photo) is an early bolt, the blued one is from an Aug 43 rifle. The 2nd photo is the bolt I sold.