Thanks guys. The one I am lookinf at dates 1953. So it is possible that it should have the solid bolt knob?
I haven't read through all the posts, but I will answer the question and say yes!!!!!! It is entirely possible to have a 1953 (especially an early '53) fwt with a solid "ovoid" bolt knob....I actually used to own an early 1953 308 fwt with a solid bolt knob. Bought it from the original owner and it was entirely 100% original... Rule states, this "did not occur on many early featherweights". Like I'm assuming Jason pointed out, this feature was referred to as the "type III-3". Rule also further states that only about half of the rifles made between 1952 and the mid part of 1953 had the bolt handles drilled:
In his own words, "The drilled bolt knob improvement started type III-3 at approximately 225,000 (1952), but was slow to capture the full production line. Less than 50% of rifles manufactured between 225,000 and 268,000 were drilled with the bolt "hole", INCLUDING the featherweights, for which it was intended".....
