Griffin and Howe .400 Whelen Springfield

[mckinney]

I have an early G&H Springfield in .400 Whelen which has an altered or replacement bolt. The bolt is swept back like a Winchester 70 rather than turned straight down like an original Mauser 98. The bolt is not numbered to the action (number in the 1,300,000's) so I am wondering if I can get a replacement bolt with the proper shape and if it would work without alteration with the .400 Whelen cartridge.

If anyone has any thoughts or advice on this I would be grateful.

Mckinney

 

[Scorch]

It may be cheaper to just have the bolt handle replaced. FWIW, I have seen several G&H rifles with swept bolt handles.

 

[Ideal Tool]

Hope I beat Parkenfarker to it!

Hello, mckinney, You say you have an early Griffen & Howe in .400 Whelen with an altered bolt? Before you do anything to that very valuable rifle...is it possible that Griffen & Howe did the altering of the bolt head to a swept back shape..It seems to me that is the one thing they would change on a military type action when sporterizing it! I would have a COMPETANT gunsmith look that gun over before touching it.