Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Mausers and Military Rifles New bolt handle for 98

Looking for recommendations for a new bolt handle for my 98 in 9.3 x 62.

I prefer to forge a new shape on the existing handle. I've got the forming blocks and heat sink to protect the threads at the back of the bolt while I'm heating and bending. Gun Parts Co. usually has several selections of weld-on handles if modifying the original doesn't float your boat. If you like to brag about how much your toys cost, Brownell's has some outrageously expensive add-on handles to choose from.
Jerry

Forging/reshaping military 98 bolts results in too short a bolt handle. BTDT.

Check with Dan at http://accu-tig.com/main-home.html he has several bolt handles available. He is very quick and reasonable.

Brownells has good ones

What Craigster said^^^^^^^^.

I've had some good looking conversions done with Brownells replacement handles. You have to find someone who knows his welding though.

Ditto what Butch sail. I've had two done by Daniel

I've taken a liking to the slim profile offered by the butter knife versions.

My forging blocks came with a tool that grabs the bolt knob while I'm heating it. I can stretch the length of the bolt handle close to 1/2" while I'm reshaping it.
Jerry
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Butter knife bolt handles do look cool!

Can you show us an example of one your bolt jobs ?

This is an example of Mark Penrod's bolt alterations. It closely resembles the bolt handle on the pre-War Model 70 Winchester. I am a fanatic for good bolt handle modifications and this one fits my every requirement of what a good, practical bolt handle should look like. My opinion was formed by years of high power rifle competition, where rapid fire makes up 40% of the shots fired in a match. My favorite competition rifle was based on a pre-War Model 70.



Penrod Precision
312 E College Ave
North Manchester, IN 46962

markpenrodprecision.com

(260) 982-8385

I had the classic Oberndorf put on mine. Not sure I'd want any other handle given a choice.

Dan knows his stuff. When I stop by he is just talking WAY over my meager head. At least we know some of the same top level shooters to talk about. LOL.

I don't recall but I've had Dan do more than 2 for me. I don't think I have every Rem bolt welded YET...but thats the goal.

You figure what bolt handle and he will do the rest to perfection IMHO.

Not that there are not others but I know Dan.

Here's a few more to look at.

Sure would like to see a pic of the "forge and stretch" version mentioned above.

As would I.

Just ship your bolt to Jkob here on 24HCF,as he is a Guild member that loves to polish black smith produced Mauser's.

or

Mark Penrod,if you want the task accomplished in house to perfection.

I learned blacksmithing long before I got into gunsmithing. Some of you arrogant keyboard commandos would be well-served to expand your skill set a little.
Jerry

Well then,step right up & contact the OP for your blacksmith work.
Otherwise
Your talk is hearsay BS.

The part of your skill set I'd like to see is one of your forged and stretched bolt handles

Well now, thanks for the compliment. I shall return one as soon as I find one!. But, wait, here, I don't think any less of you today than I did yesterday

This all went sideways over bolt knobs nonetheless.

Dans40X,

Don't see welding new handles on Mauser bolts on your webpage menu. Did I miss something or have you stopped working on Mauser bolts?

Another one on an FN 98

DF

Mr personality considers Mausers Junk!

The original Oberndorff bolt knob is a nice shape so I like to keep it. In order to alter the handle, I'll cut 3/4 through the handle, heat it and bend it down, then fill in the gap. This way, the handle ends up the right length and the shaft can be shaped as desired. Might not work as well as a bolt handle stretcher but it works for me! A caution: if shaping the handle, don't just look at the handle in relation to the bolt but in relation to the rifle. I've seen a lot of bolts which were made too slim and dainty. In recent years, bolt handle welding, barrel contouring, and even scope mounting , has become more and more closely related to aerospace engineering or, in some cases, voodoo. Ordinary gunsmiths used to do this stuff all the time. GD

Would still like to see what a Mauser bolt handle looks like after it's been stretched a half an inch.

This is absolutely true in many cases. We had a gunsmith, now departed, who could handle the problem. He could make great bolt handles. On the other hand I saw a custom Mauser recently where the bolt handled looked like it was an inch and a half long. I had the bolt handle welded on my last conversion. The guys that could do the great job around here are gone.

I'm happy with the job done by Jim Robert: Jim Robert

Wish I would have seen this 3 days ago.

Hello. What is the pushbutton under the safety on the 2nd photo down? BTY you have some beautiful rifles.

Why, they're not particularly attractive.

That has got to be one of the best bolt handles I have ever seen.


Never tire of seeing it.

Thanks, like it myself.

Guess I was in the right place at the right time when that action came up on the Classifieds.

No one knows who did the work, but it's first class.

I think Brownells sells those or very similar checkered bolt handles, but they're expensive.

The bottom metal was prepped, the whole thing ready to go in the white, including the Canjar trigger and swing safety.

It did turn out nice after Jkob got through with it. I got one of the last McWoody Edge stocks, as McM quit offering marble finishes with other than black backgrounds due to the black carbon shell occasionally showing thru the finish. No show thru with this one. I have 3 McWoody stocks, this one with the nicest pattern.

It's a Swede with a Shilen and it's a shooter. It loves 139 Scenars over a good dose of MRP in Lapua cases. I guess it's a Lapua snob of sorts...



DF

Looks like that would have been the easiest option for my project Mauser

This is a Glimm’s engraved Talley (IIRC) installed by z1r on my Mexican SR98 on which he did an awesome job:



This is a Brownells-supplied Ruger-style knob installed by Dave at IT&D:



Unfortunately both of these gentlemen are no longer doing business but both of these and the others pictured in this thread demonstrate that the style is less important than the skill of the craftsman doing the work.

Drop Skip Baldwin an email. He does a masterful job of bolt jeweling and installs bolts on a limited basis. Based upon his jeweling work I’d say he’d be well worth talking to.

https://www.baldwinboltjeweling.com/custom-handles.html

EFW, love that stock on the Mexican 98! Nice '03 as well.

Thanks Mike I’m ecstatic with the metal work you did man it’s a work of art IMO! I’m working with Rick to send the stock back and get the issues I have with it corrected and then the S&K bases will be headed your way for alteration. Hopefully this rifle can see some doe cullin’ & ‘yote callin’ yet this fall/winter!

I like the shape and $35 price of Nathaniel Myers' Long Oberndorf bolt handle. In my experience he does fine work but some of the sources named above could also work for installation.

https://www.myersarms.com/for-sale

I've used a lot of these..............Lenard Brownell design.

MM

Tag this thread for an upcoming project. Thanks for all the experienced opinions here!

Looks a lot like my first gun project. back in the '60's. Don't remember where I got it.

DF