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I may be on the wrong track, but when the Ruger M77 was first introduced (1968), it featured a prominent "dog leg" style bolt which was reminiscent of the British Enfield rifle. Bill Ruger liked it so much, he patented it (Des. 218,304). Few others, including employees, shared Ruger's enthusiasm and it was the most disliked feature of the M77.
Forward to 1970. In steps Leonard Brownell (of Brownell fame), one of the few whom Ruger trusted for taste. Ruger challenged Brownell to design a new bolt handle and Brownell's submission was adopted the day after being presented to Ruger. That bolt handle was short lived and in 1971, to facilitate casting, Ruger eliminated the hollow in the bolt handle and the bolt took its third and final form.
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt
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