What is a "Speed Bolt"?

[jrhines]

I asked this over in the smithing forum, but thought I would ask the rifle guys too! Overheard two guys talking about installing a "speed bolt" in an old Winchester lever gun. Any idea of what that might be?

 

[N3rday]

+1

I remember hearing this term somewhere, but I can't remember where. At the time I wasn't as into guns as I am now, so I probably just assumed it was something beyond my knowledge.

 

[Maddock]

From what I remember, this was a conversion to cock-on-closing rifles, such as the M1917 ("American Enfield") to cock on opening. The theory was to speed up the cycling. I've also seen the phrase used for conversions to old military bolt actions to speed the lock time by increasing the spring force and lightening the firing pin.