I think they add a touch of class to rifles, sadly they arent used very much anymore. Steyr rifles still have them; but few custom builders even offer them.

I had Steyr Mannlicher once and I'll say that the flattened bolt handled screwed me once shooting under stress.It did not stay down easily- when the jacket around my wrist got under the bolt, it raised it and the rifle did not fire.

I have a Mauser project in the works now chambered in 358 Norma Mag with the Butter Knife bolt handle, I consider it a nice touch of class and very functional.

Just waiting on stock checkering, recoil pad, and oil fininshing.

Maybe just me but I can't imagine why anyone would even consider using one. Yuuucck!

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Kobe:
Maybe just me but I can't imagine why anyone would even consider using one. Yuuucck!

+1

They may "look good" but I find them very uncomfortable to manipulate rapidly. As they say in Hollywood, "Looking good is better than being good and dahling you look mahvelous." Still it is a matter of taste and if we all liked the same thing it would be a much more boring world.

Jerry Liles

LIke the looks; hate the feel and performance. So, if you build a rifle for looking at; go for it. If you want to manipulate the bolt fast in the field, forget the idea.

Here's one on my pre-war JP Sauer Mauser in 8x60.

On a small caliber stalking rifle, where rapid fire is unlikely to be an issue, I don't mind that kind of bolt handle, as long as it looks like this:



This is a BRNO 21F rifle, but the design of the bolt handle is an approximate copy of the Oberndorf Model M version. It is also the kind of bolt handle used on the 1922 Newton.

For rapid fire work the handle on the pre-64 Model 70 Winchester bolt is hard to beat. Vistually all my target rifles were built around that action.

"Butter knife" bolt handles were not intended for hunters who might need to fire rapidly. They were designed for light rifles and carbines meant to be slung on the back and carried in the mountains so that the bolt handle was not poking the hunter in the back or banging off of rock ledges.
For rapid or extensive shooting with a bolt rifle I prefer a large, smooth bolt knob but
for mountain rifles for a hunter who carefully places their first shot, flat handles are sort of classy.

Im actually planning to do some custom work on a Mosin Nagant. Now the Nagant wasn't something I had planned to spend a lot of money making nice: but this one cleaned up really nice after 50 years of grease was scraped off. Its mismatched and re-arsenaled, so I don't feel like Im tearing up a piece of history, which is important to me.

When I decided to add a scope, my options were an original or repro military design, or something strictly civilian. So I considered the possibilities and pictured what a post war custom build would have looked like. That's when the idea came to me to use a military scope and mount; but instead of the typical military bent bolt handle, Id use a butterknife handle. Instead of checkering, I wanna use stippling or possibly light oak leaf carving to add some texture around the grip and handguard.

My thought is the additions would be subtle BUT significant and still classy in a 1950s style.

Only on Mannlicher-Schoeneur rifles,never on a Mauser action.I'm sure it's a matter of taste but I cannot even visualize a M-S with a bolt knob and have never seen a Mauser with a flat handle I would actually own. I had one of the weird WWII M-S/Mauser whatevers and could never figure what to do with it. Still can't.

Its a Blonds and Oranges thing. Im not doing it on a Dangerous Game rifle, well maybe Wild Boar; but not Lion anyway. Sure after WW2 there were plenty of Mausers, etc to "work on"; but the Nagants have always been ignored. OK nobody would say they are marvels of design; but a good specimen is still a good specimen.

Since the Nagant "needs" a new bolt handle anyway, the Butterknife style seems like a cool style. No not common, probably never done; but do-able, and I think worth doing.

I like 'em. I like the way they look and the way they work, Mauser or M/S...or even custom Mod. 70 or 700. Seein' as how I'm unlikely to ever get put into a position where rapid fire from any of my bolt rifles is a necessity, they work just fine for me.

Not the butterknnife but I could be persuaded somewhat on a Daniel Fraser

XAUSA, the handle on my Mauser in 358 Norma is identical to yours in that pic, I like it and can fly with it, it's no hinderance whatsoever and looks proper on Euro Mausers to me.

JK, yes, they would look weird on a custom M-70.

One shouldn't mix flatware with firearms.

They're ugly to say the least.

On a Steyr Maanlicher or Manlicher they look good.

CZ made some that look ok on the small ring BRNOs.

Other than that they rarely look like they belong.

I liked the butter knife bolt handle on my Mannlicher-Schoeneur rifle, but otherwise wouldn’t want one on any other rifle especially one of my Mausers. Just my personal preference…

Here's one on a 1941 Christoph Funk 6.5x68 Schuler. I liked the look but I was disappointed the first time I cycled the bolt.

I'm fond of two styles, the Brno butterknife and the Win. Mod. 70. For those interested in sporterizing a Mosin go here, it will be worth your while.
> Nitroexpress site > Classic Firearms Photos & Archive > The Best Mosin ---------- in History, not far down the first page. FWIW --- John

I really like everything about those BRNO rifles, except for the bolt handle.

Duane,

you know what they say about women who smoke...

I like my rifles a little on the trashy side.

They smell like shit and die early?

Mauser Model M

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
Duane,

you know what they say about women who smoke...

no what?

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Kobe:
Maybe just me but I can't imagine why anyone would even consider using one. Yuuucck!

Agree 100%

Handled a couple. Felt very odd like a shifter handle with the knob missing.

Spoon/knife











[img][/img]

Rich, I like 'em all!

I like the butter knife handle and have a few, from 222 to 375

Well, I open and close the bolt with the palm of my hand. Had a play with a Steyr Mannlicher yesterday and it hurt like hell when you closed the bolt. Yuck

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Kobe:
Maybe just me but I can't imagine why anyone would even consider using one. Yuuucck!

Jim, it isn't just you. I have one on a BRNO and I wish I had replaced it.