I will agree that the numbers on my FACTORY bolt head that came with my Stevens .308 had 4 numbers stamped into it (I think it was 4....maybe 5) that matched the S\N of the last 4 or 5 on the receiver.

But so what?

I've sinced changed bolt heads so it now accepts a smaller brass. But I'm certainly not aware that I need to engrave a S\N back into my new bolt head. My guess is that Savage did this to keep 'em together at the factory. I'm not aware of any BAFT requirement to have a S\N on a bolt head.

But then, I don't profess to know everything there is to know either.

But, I think perhaps you got a young....and not too knowledgeable gunsmith.

Dave