Ross M10 MK III* acquisition

[ak_milsurp]

Greetings...

I have rarely posted on the milsurps forums, but have followed them for some time.

I just acquired a Ross M10 MK III* rifle. I've looked for one for years and all I found were sporterized and "Babba'd"examples.

THe pictures don't do the rifle justice but aren't too bad.

When I saw the auction for this, I jumped on it.....
It's in fine condition, but I don't see any stock markings, so it's been refurbed some time ago.

It's all there! Bolt had matching serial numberm but I don't think it's been riveted. Has forged forend cap, an unusual rear sight, and a "P14" style front sight.

I'd call the bore "good" Still shootable but dark... It's got British proof marks on the barrel and receiver- what does the "C" on the receiver mean?

I UNderstand the LC marking on the barrel shank means "Large Chamber" What else can you tell me about this Ross? (Other than the bolt is a BITCH to get back together correctly)

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[smellie]

They were generally pretty careful about marking the daylights out of the rifles, friend. I have only run into a single issue 1910 which doesn't have the butt defacd by a whack of markings and has never had them there.... and I own that one.

It i entirely possible that your rifle never saw military service at all.

That rear sight is definitely NOT the issue sight. It is a Target sight of a type which is more than just a bit scarce, alhough you will find a few of them with Military markings on the sight itself (as with yours). Issue sight was the Ross Battle Aperture Sight which worked much like this one but was a lot smaller.

Hope to get back to you later. Right now, this machine is giving troubles.

NICE rifle!
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[ak_milsurp]

Any info you can provide is welcome. I have many other Milsurps, but the Ross M10 is new to me.

Tell me more about the front P14 sight, as well as the rear sight. AS far as I can tell, there are NO markings on the stock at all.... Other than a few dings

THere are some numbers stamped into the insdie of the handguard and fore end.

THe rear sight marking are: A British crown with a "2" under it on the hinge area.

On the underside of the "beam" or upright is stamped:

" Canada Tool and Specialty Company, New Glasgow, N.S."

THe upright beam is graduated from 100 to 22 (hundred I assume) Meters/yard on the right
THe left is graduated up to "320" In very fine increasing graduation- I have no idea what that is.... It doesn't seem to equate to yards or meters.

Again the stock has no markings at all, nor does it appear to be sanded, if at all. The patina of stock and metal looks correct for it's age.

the barel shank has "LC" and three or four Proof marks with a crown and crossed flags with an "E" underneath each. THere are at least two of the same marks on the front ring of the receiver. Serial number is "2931"

THere are NO U.S. import marks on the weapon.

[tiriaq]

Is it possible that the rifle is a British IIIB, with the rear sight replaced?

[ak_milsurp]

I suppose it's possible, but there aren't any markings on the stock. Did the III B have a P14 front sight?

I did a bit of research on the company that made the rear sight. I didn't find much, other than they made several models of sights for the various Ross Models...

I haven't found a pic of the exact model on mine yes. unfortunately there are no part or model numbers stamped on the sight.....

Is it possible that the rifle is a British IIIB, with the rear sight replaced?

[tiriaq]

The IIIB used a front sight very much like a P14. The IIIB rear sight was a triangular shaped folder with a slide adjustment for elevation very much like a P14's. The sights are the features that distinguish a Brit. IIIB from a Cdn III. The dimensions of Ross rear sight bases are such the sights themselves may be interchanged. The rear sight was likely installed to provide more adjustments for range use. Note that your rear sight has a notch as well as a peep aperture. The sight was intended for use on a Mk.II rifle.

[buffdog]

The IIIB used a front sight very much like a P14. The IIIB rear sight was a triangular shaped folder with a slide adjustment for elevation very much like a P14's. The sights are the features that distinguish a Brit. IIIB from a Cdn III. The dimensions of Ross rear sight bases are such the sights themselves may be interchanged. The rear sight was likely installed to provide more adjustments for range use. Note that your rear sight has a notch as well as a peep aperture. The sight was intended for use on a Mk.II rifle.

The Ross Mark IIIB used a front sight similar to the P-14 Enfield Rifle. The rear sight has been replaced with a target sight designed for the 1905 Ross Mark II as noted above. Manufactured by the Canada Tool and Specialty Company, it is a Pilblad Patent Mark V sight and should be calibrated for Mark VII ammunition IF used with the short 1905 Ross Mark II Rifle, but might vary slightly because of the difference in sighting radius.
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[A. F Medic]

My Mk II has the same sight only mounted where you normally would find a rear sight....

[smellie]

Your serial is 2931?

Mine is A1625, in very small characters, and that's the only factory marking on the stock. No military markings at all, yet I can prove that it was used by the military (battalion markings and Chilean Navy markings). I am thinking that perhaps we might both have very early pre-production rifles, possibly manufactured in 1913, at which time there was a very limited trial. The BULK of Mark III Roses, of course, were made DURING the War itself, troops doing their Musketry training with the old Mark II as their Mark IIIs were being manufactured for them, then being issued the Mark III rifles just in time for boarding the ships.

What we really NEED around here is somebody who worked in a senior position in the Ross plant while the rifles were being made. The problem, of course, is that no-one such as that still lives, so we are reduced to trying to piece together a 98-year-old puzzle....... and we don't have all the pieces. Oh, it's fun!
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[ak_milsurp]

Greetings after a long delay. I still have my Ross M10 IIIb.

I believe it was manufactured between 1916 and 1918. THe barrel shank is marked "LC" for the "Large Chamber" modification. Still not sure what the lone "C" stamp on the front left side of the receiver (at the wood line) designates.

I'm still rather surprised the stock isn't covered with dozens of unit stamps as most are. I suppose it could be sanded, but the patina and thickness of the wood in the butt stock just doesn't lend credence to that idea.

THat said, it's obvious the rear sight is a replacement target sight.

I also notice the Rivet modification on the bolt. (To help ensure bolt is correctly assembled).

Also--- my understanding is that the "LC" chamber mod was done in England or perhaps by repair depot armorers in Europe. NOT in Canada or the USA. Would that also mean it was actually issued to the field? I know the Ross rifles were prized for their accuracy. perhaps the rear sight was a field upgrade for sniping use?? And so I ruminate....


Since IIIb rifles were for british home guard