Received my forged '93 Mauser bolt handle from Roy Davis May early last week. Very impressed with his work.
I was a little concerned about the length of the bolt handle; I've read many posts about forged handles being "stubby" and short. Because of this concern, I specifically requested that the handle be bent straight down rather than be swept back. Now for the results:
Both the new '93 handle and my Mark X handle measure 2-5/8" from the centerline of the bolt to the outside of the bolt ball (the '93 might be a 1/32" shorter - eye-balling with a tape measure). The Mark X handle is swept back. The ball of the '93 is larger than that of the the Mark X; as such, the center of the ball is closer to the bolt body by a smidge.
I've always liked the looks of straight down handle rather than swept-back. Folks concerned about the length of the handle may want to avoid sweeping it back. I'm guessing it saved an 1/8" or more of length.
Comments about Roy Davis May's work: First of all, the turn-around time was incredible; I had the finished bolt in my mailbox within 7 days of sending it. I bet the thing was still cooling when he sent it back! My dull, de-blued bolt arrived nicely polished. He requested that I sent the shroud along with the bolt, and he ensured that everything indexed well. The original handle was turned-down. He had to straighten the handle then forge it. It will, without question, clear a low mounted scope; the top of the handle base sits even with the top of the adjacent shroud hump. I'm very happy with the work that he did for $35 (including return postage). I notched the reciever myself for the handle base.
A '93? Yes, the .308 Win one to boot! I have a Williams sight on it and plan to handload either 110 grain or 130 grain bullets to mild velocities. It's a 300 Savage in 308 guise, as far as I'm concerned. It has a long way to go yet. The stock needs much work yet. Those Spanish armorers loved it with a lot of oil. I'll try putting it in a bag of cat litter.
Enough of my ranting.
