Ross project, advice sought.

Hello folks,
I have finally acquired the parts to build a Ross M10. I essentially traded these for a No 5, but that's another story. I'd appreciate any advice on what level of restoration on the stock is sensible, or indeed ethical.

My thoughts - I will preserve all the cartouches, because it seems an interesting collection (Any comments on these definitely appreciated). Although they won't be representative of the history of the rifle I build.

Since the donor rifle is a DP, and the resulting rifle should be shootable, what should I do with the red DP stripes? Should I leave them? Remove them carefully?

I know there is a strong "don't do anything that will affect value" sensibility in the Milsurp community, but I am making up a shooter, which presumably removes almost all collector value anyway. But equally I'm not going to strip it and sand it back to oblivion. Hopefully there is a sensible compromise solution.

I'm considering adding a note in the buttstock cavity outlining whatever I do for future posterity, and so the rifle's true story isn't confused.

Cheers,
Burton

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I would only be concerned with the rifle as a shooter if any of the following are marked DP: bolt, receiver, barrel.

The "original" stocked rifle appears to be an Indian/Pakistani drill purpose rifle with the barrel drilled and welded at the chamber, and you intend to drop in a complete replacement action and barrel, so you should be O.K. Personally, I'd remove the paint. I like your idea of leaving the documented restoration in the stock.

Good luck on your project.

Clean the paint off. Clean the stock but leave the history.

Perhaps you'd be better off getting a new replica stock and leaving the DP as what it is?

One has to wonder why they went to all the trouble of drilling and welding these rifles when usually DP arms are simply marked as such and left as-is; a little residual resentment of the Ross? ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Surpmil

Perhaps you'd be better off getting a new replica stock and leaving the DP as what it is?

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A good question. This was my original plan. Until I saw the prices on repop stocks and the complete unavailability of the missing barrel bands.
I'd rather have a non shooting DP Ross and a restored Ross, believe me, but it didn't seem workable.