1918 Ross MK III

Just came across a 1918 Ross MK III

811 I P
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1918


It the butt is stamped K K D and has a roundel with E S A or F S A. Anyone familiar with these markings?

Attachment 41681

Hello CZ.

This Ross is one of a number which made their way at some point in their history to India. There was a similarly-marked rifle presented here a while back: https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=28257

I also note the Canadian C-Broad arrow marking on the buttstock as well, so the rifle appears to have served in Canada before heading overseas.

Let's see some more photos, and tell us how she shoots.

Hi RangeRover,

Thanks for the info. Cripes! I had actually read and thanked Promo for the posting... ...clutch slipping?
In the process of making an offer on the rifle, in the high res photo of the butt I may have spotted a "DP" stamp need to confirm before things go much further. Will post pics if it goes through and do a range report.

Cold Zero, I have a MKIII with the same markings. In The Ross Rifle Story, " Britain was likely the source of "about 8000" Mark III Rosses received by India in 1942. The rifles were issued for policy (perhaps they meant police) duty, and were withdrawn in 1943, when more modern weapons were made available. Supposed specimens of Mark IIIs used in India have turned up in Canada and the United States. They bear a circular stamp enclosing the letters ESA on the right rear of the stock and have an open-topped foresight hood." On the web site enfield-stuff.com in the Enfields in Queue: India section, they have several SMLEs listed with KKD on the buttstocks that states the letters are from "India's Karachi Depot (in present day Pakistan) was a major storage area in WWII for arms coming from England and the U.S.-particulary lend-lease arms". So India history is likely correct. Mine is not DP, and is an excellent shooter. Regards, TomAttachment 41698Attachment 41699Attachment 41700Attachment 41701

Re: the DP stamp. That will be good to check, as when many of these were converted to drill purpose, they were really converted to drill purpose, with a large hole drilled laterally through both the stock and the receiver - never to shoot again. Some of the DP wood, with patches where the holes were, have been re-used on other rifles, perhaps to bring back sporterized versions.

Thanks Again for the Info. Query has been sent, fingers crossed.