Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors 1899 Bolt

So..... I forgot how it went back together, specifically the bushing or spacer or whatever at the top of the picture. Where does it go?

I had hoped that someone with a definitive answer would respond by now, but...

It has been a long time since I had one of these apart, and I do not want to take a complete rifle apart unless it becomes necessary. I don't remember where the Hammer (cocking) Indicator Washer goes, but if it is at either end of the mainspring, I think it would be the forward end where it could hold the indicator up while the hammer is back/cocked. Its effect on preload would be the same at either end, methinks.

If you get no other response, I will disassemble 71.XXX as necessary to make a determination.

Sam

I thought it was towards the fore end too. When taking it apart I was thinking "I didn't expect that to be there. I should take a picture." Then thought "Nah, there is no way I'll forget where it goes.". Fast forward about a week and regret not taking the picture. I might take apart another one and check, I was just hoping someone could save me the trouble.

They must have only been used early on because I don't see them in pictures online and this is a first year rifle.

Mid 1908, 90.000, they moved the cocking indicator to the tang, so no washers after that, I believe.

Sam, I'm pretty sure you have a firing pin assembly for the pre 90K bolts in your parts lot.

I really think it goes on the back end next to that other bushing. The cocking indicator is raised by the grooves in the firing pin.

I have 2, but neither one has the washer on it. One has a longer hammer bushing making me think the washer is just for preload. If so, it may not matter which end gets the washer, but it could hardly be a mistake to put it at the rear. I suspect the other one was assembled without the washer, in error.

Thanks for weighing in; I had hoped you would.

Sam

The patent shows it at the front and it is what lowers the cocking indicator and holds it down with a little spring tension, but sometimes patent drawings are not 100% like production - patent/US634034A

Did not think of looking up the patent. Gene, you're a wild man. Thanks.

I think this one is right. As the skunk said when he sprayed upwind, It all comes back to me now.

I took apart a slightly later bolt and can confirm the spacer/bushing/washer/whatever does go in front, behind the firing pin cap.

The one in the picture is from an 1899 model 1899. The other I took apart to fix is from a 190X model 1899F SRC ( I don't recall the DOM ) but it has the cocking indicator on the bolt too. However, the firing pin cap, that threads on, is totally different, having different slots machined into it. The cocking indicator is shaped differently too. I really wish I would have paid more attention to the one from 1899 to see if the cocking indicator worked the same. But it was so gummed up and the bolt is busted, so it may not have worked at all. Anyone happen to have a first year 1899 they could cock and take a picture of the indicator position?

I have one from May 19, 1900 if that would help.

If it's not too much trouble that would be great. Ideally if I could get pictures of the disassembled bolt and firing pin parts that would be awesome, but I wouldn't ask anyone to do that.

May I email or text the pictures? I have not mastered the art of posting them on this site.

srhurt1943gmail.com

Email sent. Thanks!

Do any of you happen to know the correct size of the spacer? I have two of these apart. One has a spacer I'm 99% sure is not original and is much smaller/shorter than the on in the picture above. I have no reason to believe the one in the picture is not original but it would be nice confirm because it seems taller than it needs to be and really compresses the spring.

The post 90 hammer bushing was lengthened when they eliminated the washer. I measured 2 washers; one was .075" thick, the other about .083". The pre 90 hammer bushing is about .57" long and the post about .63". You do not want to mix a post 90 bushing with a washer or you will end up with entirely too much preload on the mainspring. Washers are .375' OD X .263" ID, give or take a little. I'm going to make a few washers in a week or 2 as one of mine sprouted wings and I have not found it.

My 11.123 has a .092" spacer. I'm guessing that's probably original, especially since I measured it while it was assembled.

The 75.722 doesn't have a spacer, but I think copper washer someone put in it. As some of the other parts were missing off the bolt that is not surprising.

The hammer bushings on each is .57"

I'm currently latheless and would be happy to purchase a couple pre 90k washers from you if you feel like making a couple extras. I'll send you a PM.

Thanks for taking the time to measure.

The saga continues.

Finally have all my parts and am trying to put one back together. The cocked indicator parts are different between the rifles (of course they are, why wouldn't they be ).

11.xxx:




75.xxx:

Top from an angle:




Underside:





Top:




The underside of the 11.xxx is just round.

I'm having a tough time trying to figure out why the indicator on the 75.xxx doesn't seem to work correctly. If I have the firing pin screwed on one way, the cocking indicator works but the pin doesn't protrude. If I index it 180° the firing pin protrudes enough but the cocking indicator doesn't work right.

Any ideas/thoughts/advice?

I got it working with a little trial and error. Sometimes it just takes laying everything out and then some kind soul PMs you ( thanks Sam ) with a different perspective and everything falls into place.