I'm going to be putting together an 03A1 replica sniper before too long. The 03A1 I'll be using for this project has an N.S. stamped bolt (i.e. N.S. is stamped on bolt handle root and not on lug). Somewhere I read where someone had modified their bolt handle by grinding its outside surface where it turns down because it was hitting the scope. However, I don't recall seeing any bolt handles that were modified like this in any pics of original 03A1 USMC scout sniper rifles, and particularly those in the Peter Senich book. Maybe I just wasn't looking close enough...but I don't recall reading anywhere else that the USMC armorers made any alterations to the N.S. bolt that was used for 1930's 03A1 production.
Could someone tell me if the Marine Corp. armorers did indeed modify their sniper bolts by milling or grinding a clearance notch in the bolt handle? Or, could some one tell me whether or not I should expect for my N.S. bolt to not make contact with the scope tube? BTW, I'll be using one the Hi-Lux Leatherwood "Chi-Nertyl" repro scopes for this project.
Thanks!