Late to this, but the markings are legitimate. I have owned well over 150 Rosses over the years, and have seen 4 of the Mk II*** and 2 Mk II***** with CEF markings. I have even owned a Long Lee with CEF markings. As the above posts note, the first contingent overseas did not have enough Mk III to go around so were supplemented with others. However, there is NO evidence that any of these rifles actually went to combat in Franceicon. The Canadian troops spent over 4 months training at Salisbury in Englandicon before getting to France in 1915 so by then the older Rosses (and long Lees) were replaced and presumably shipped back to Canadaicon.