1905 Ross

[A. F Medic]

Finally got it apart and back together without any extra parts!!

I know it has been sporterized as the rear sight has a piece of wood under it. Barrel is 22 inches and uncrowned.
However, I could not find any serial number or other markings. Did find a 33 C and proof marks.



Were they scrubbed off as part of the sporter process?

Cartouche is almost gone but I did see Ontario under a strong light and oil smear with what appears to be 719. There was nothing under the butt plate.

It has been tapped for a scope. Paid next to nothing for it and it has been a good learning tool.

Last day of flintlock season here in Pa on Sat. Snow here is deep and everywhere. Deer are yarding up but can't get to them without snow shoes. Which I do not have!

[buffdog]

Sounds like you have a sporterized 1905 Military Mark II rifle. The serial number and date of manufacture was stamped on the right side of the butt stock. If you can see "719" then that is PART of the serial number. Ross used a combination of 1 to 999 over the Date followed by an Alphabetic letter code. An example might be 345/1908 BC . At the end of 999 rifles with the BC code, the sequence started over again with 001/1908 BD. Also the Model variant is stamped there , for example II ***.

Since you can see some markings, although someone sanded the buttstock, you might be able to bring out most of the information. If you have a friend who collects stamps, there is a small light that stamp collectors use to check for watermarks on the stamp. It will also bring out the stamped numbers in the wood if the sanding was not too deep.

Commercial Ross rifles usually have a serial number stamped on the left side of the barrel, just in front of the receiver ring, with about 1/8 inch stamps.
.