I'm looking to replace the bolt on my 1908 Brazillian Mauser. The plumber who did the bolt cut and rewelded it...I'm guessing with a hacksaw and stick welder. It's terrible. Anyway, I'm looking at the bolts available at Numrich.

Mauser parts at Numrich

What's the difference between a military curved bolt ($35, part # 5300) and a military bent bolt ($85, part #5360) besides the bent bolt started out as a straight bolt, and $50?

Will the curved bolt allow clearance for a scope?

I'm assuming that the guts of my current bolt wil fit the replacement, so I wasn't looking for a complete assembly. Good or bad assumption?

Is there a better source for a scope usable 98 bolt?

Thanks in advance!

Some military Mausers came with bent bolts - the M48 comes to mind. All the rest came with straight bolts.

The bent bolt models however did not allow for enough clearance to permit proper scope mounting. Therefore, even if you were to purchase a bent military bolt, I would be willing to bet that you'd still need a new handle welded on.

As such, I would purchase the straight bolt model and spend the savings to get the proper bolt handle in the style I wanted. By doing this, you'd be money ahead of starting with a bent bolt and reworking it...

I would suggest you find a GOOD gunsmith and have him put a new handle on your existing bolt. Chances of headspace being correct with a replacement bolt are in my opinion slim. Should be an easy job and not too expensive.

The bent bolts, just like a 1903 Springfield, won’t clear a low mounted scope. The curved ones have a convex profile that misses the scope when fully raised.

The local guy I showed it too snorted and immediately said the bolt needed to be replaced because the re-weld at the bolt body was too thin (I agree that it is thin, but has survived a couple hundred rounds thus far) and could break. No mention was made of rewelding...and that made me suspicious of his intent. Nothing like parts markups to increase the bottom line.

I should mention that the barrel is next for replacement, so headspacing is of no concern at this time. Actually I keep talking my self into selling it and starting with a new rifle, then talk myself into keeping it as a project. Round and round we go...are we having fun yet!?!?

quote:

Actually I keep talking my self into selling it and starting with a new rifle,

exactly what I was thinking.....

Davis May yamyor38@pld.com probably can fix you up with a new Mark X bolt, or a military bolt with the handle forged low for scope clearance. I recently had him forge a couple of bolts for me, and the work was very good. S40

I think you should send the bolt off to someone who does a lot of bolt handle replacements and see their reaction to the old job. Could easily be $50 well spent to have it replaced.
I sent mine off to Bob at www.bobsgun.com
He charged me $55 included shipping and did a fantastic job and a one week turn around.

Snellstrom,
would you have a photo of your bolt.

did he reharden the cocking cam.

thanks.

Bob

quote:

exactly what I was thinking

Would these pictures of my parts pile change your mind or harden your resolve to ditch it?









I'm into the rifle for basically nothing, FWIW.

Just send it to some one to have a new bolt handle welded on. No big deal to fix what you already have

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:
I think you should send the bolt off to someone who does a lot of bolt handle replacements and see their reaction to the old job. Could easily be $50 well spent to have it replaced.
I sent mine off to Bob at www.bobsgun.com
He charged me $55 included shipping and did a fantastic job and a one week turn around.

I got Bob to do one for me. This guy would be perfect for what you need. Fast turn around and a decent job for the money. You won't need to head space the barrel if you do it this way.

Terry

Yes you must scrap the entire action by sending it to me. I will make sure that it gets what every Mauser action needs.

Seriously though if you are rebarreling do what you prefer new bolt or cut it off and start over. You will like what you get either way.

I saw nothing in the photos to make me scrap it...just get someone to install a nice bolt handle....two posts show excellent workmanship and I'd recommend you go that route.

The upper link didn't work for me.

Try this one:

http://www.bobsgun.com/

LD

I see what the issue is. Whoever has been working on that bolt was afraid to cut into the receiver in order to make the bolt work with a scope. Most folks that do bolt handle jobs will attach them in such a way that a notch will have to be cut out of the receiver in order for the bolt to be low enough to not hit the scope on the upstroke.