Originally Posted By: ChiefShotguns
An alteration added by someone with very short hands? Perhaps an accident to the fingers prevented full extension to reach the bolt handle.


Yes, I was thinking the same thing but didn't want to taint the jury. The L.O.P. seems normal.

Given the size of the bolt, it's natural to grasp it with the index and middle finger - or perhaps the two prongs of an antique artificial hand. See;
http://trace.wisc.edu/docs/consumer_product_guidelines/consumer.pcs/i5a.gif