bolt knob replacement

[ratherbefishin]

I picked up a very nice 9,3X57 Husky from Anthony at tradex,in excellent condition except someone had absolutely butchered the bolt handle in an effort to make it clear the scope[which he divulged at the time-they're good at giving you details and pictures so you know what you're getting ]-I spent some time filing and polishing-it is now presentable-but I was wondering if anyone had replaced just the bolt knob-and just how much work it entailed?

 

[tiriaq]

To just replace the job isn't that big a deal. The existing knob can be made into a threaded shank, and a new knob screwed on.

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

Go to the next gunshow. Ask around for a scrap Mauser bolt body. It will be a very similar bolt-handle. Take the ####e bolt and the replacement body to your gunsmith. He can put them together.

 

[ratherbefishin]

Whatever I do will have to be a ''do it yourself ''effort-these old rifles while perfectly serviceable simply aren't spending money on-they aren;t collectors milsurps,but they can be made into very fine hunting rifles[and besides I do admit I like the fine craftsmanship of the old Husky''s-got two 6.5x55s and three 9,3x57's now],and besides,I get a kick out of taking something screwed up and making it nice.Everything else is in good condition-bluing-bore,stock-its just the bolt that had the hack job[and lowered the price]Matter of fact-I think these old swede mausers offer excellent value for the money-generally under $300]So far all I've done is file and polish the bolt,but the bolt knob is a bit on the small side,so grinding it off and making it into a post that I can run a die over to cut threads isn't a bad idea-I'll go to industrial supply stores and see if they have a knurled ball that would work.

 

[ratherbefishin]

So,I ground,filed and polished the bolt handle so that it looked pretty good,but the bolt knob was just too small,so I cut it off,got another discarded bolt that had been cut off and cut the shank off,leaving just the ball.I drilled and tapped the ball, then ground the existing bolt knob to a spike,threaded that,and screwed it on.My son in law welded it and built up a shoulder which I then ground, smoothed and polished.Total cost -zero-and a few hours work .Its kind of satisfying to take something somebody else screwed up and making it serviceable and presentable .I don't think I'd try it on a valuable rifle- this is not a collector,but hopefully a good shooter for $240 from tradex.That leaves me some room for a nice used fixed power Leopold and I have my moose rifle.I think those Huskys are pretty good value for the money,especially if you're willing to add a little sweat equity-and hey-will a moose tell the diference between this and a high priced magnum?