Rare 1915 Ross MKIII sniper rifle

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Originally Posted by Surpmil

I wonder if the former owner kept any record of where he obtained it and from who etc? That was the information I was thinking of. If it was picked up in the 20s it would probably have come from whoever brought it back from France, and in your shoes, my goal would be to find out that in particular.

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My sentiments exactly and I'd sure like to know who crudely scratched the initials "A.P." (might be "A.A."?) into the under side of the magazine. ;)

I can't believe a collector would have done it and I'd like to think that perhaps the original sniper to whom it was issued did this to identify his own piece. I know I marked my original rifle issued to me when I served in the 60's, just so I could fine it quick when grouped with my buddies. Of course this was against Queen's Regulations (defacing government property), but heck, nobody ever said anything to me and I had the beast for four years. :lol:

It would be great to lay my hands on an original "nominal roll" of soldiers to whom these sniper rifles were issued to. ;)

Regards,
Badger

Interesting, but that AP or AA looks very much like it was done with one of those electric engravers that used to be advertised in the back of Popular Mechanics etc. When were they invented and would a soldier in France in WWI have had access to one?

They take a firm grip to control, as this job shows. I wonder if it is actually "AH" with the line wandering over to the second upright line of the "H".

Edit: looking at it more, I think it is "AA" with that blob of rust confusing the issue. Does that fit with the initials of the former owner or did he mark other rifles in a similar way?

I think you'll find the rifles were divvied up between the battalions and the best you could hope for would be to try to determine which of the 3 or 4 (?) shipments to France this rifle was in (again, acc. to Without Warning). From there, you might by going through battalion histories, war diaries and nominal rolls be able to get some possible names, but the task would be long and tedious and unlikely to produce any definite results.

So much easier to work backwards from the source and so much more likely to produce results.

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Originally Posted by Surpmil

They take a firm grip to control, as this job shows. I wonder if it is actually "AH" with the line wandering over to the second upright line of the "H".

Edit: looking at it more, I think it is "AA" with that blob of rust confusing the issue. Does that fit with the initials of the former owner or did he mark other rifles in a similar way?

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Thanks partner ... :)

I've been so busy with business travel and other commitments in the last month, I haven't had much time to really sit down and concentrate on going over this old girl really up close. The pics were quick and dirty, just to give you guys an opportunity to see something, but I'm hoping in the next month or so that tiriaq can come over and we spend a day focused on dis-assembly and a couple hundred pic photo montage for the MKL.

Appreciate your feedback and suggestions for research ... :thup:

Regards,
Badger

FWIW, we do know the collector who owned it was NOT in the military. (he actually died closer to 20 years ago and the rifle had been collecting dust in a basement closet ever since along with some nice Purdy double rifles and a Purdy 8 Gauge shotgun - don't ask what those sold for!). The story goes he bought most of his collection in the 1930's during the depression when some previously wealthy people fell on hard times and he only bought nice stuff. This and one or two other rifles plus a some WW1 Lugers were the only military guns when the collection was liquidated (in two batches, one about 15 years ago, and the last few pieces this year).

We also know his last name was Armstrong but we were unable to determine his first name. Whether he made the markings on the bottom metal are anyone's guess.

Has anyone noticed how much colour case remains on the bolt and bolt stop? The bore is perfect and this rifle is low-mileage. Definitely. I should know, it spent some time in my gun rack before it was delivered to Badger ;)

Good info. It should be easy to determine his first name. You should be able to get a copy of his will or probate papers too. The appropriate city directory at the public library will probably have him listed. You can usually work backwards from the address in those old Dominion Directories too.

Sounds like that's what the initials were anyway, which is good news.

And as for the "mileage" you can be sure that many a 'Fritz' was last seen alive through that scope. You're holding history in your hands there Badger.

Is there any slop in the scope mounts when fitted?

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Originally Posted by Badger

It's essentially the same as the lot of 500 that was bought buy the Canadian government to mount on the Ross MKII during WW1 as shown in the previous post. Regards,
Badger[/size]

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Slight correction.

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Originally Posted by Surpmil

Slight correction.

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Yes, there were 500 in total, delivered in two batches of 250 each ... :)

... but what I was pointing out was:

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Originally Posted by Badger

This sniper rifle is from the first 250 batch ordered by the Canadian Government ....

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Regards,
Badger

One more thought on this rifle. All of those I have seen photos of had the forend cut slightly proud of the middle band. Yours is cut flush. If you could find any WWI photos showing one of these rifles cut flush, you would at least have a photo that MIGHT be of your rifle.

And it would appear you have one of the reproduction rubber eyecups fitted to the scope as it looks thicker than the originals and does not have the holes to prevent suction on recoil. That and the colour and thickness of the rubber and the visible mold line around the lip.

Not finding fault in any way, just offering an opinion.;)

The cup is aligned for a shooter using the left eye BTW. Possible, but unlikely I think. Easily rotated of course.

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Originally Posted by Surpmil

One more thought on this rifle. All of those I have seen photos of had the forend cut slightly proud of the middle band. Yours is cut flush. If you could find any WWI photos showing one of these rifles cut flush, you would at least have a photo that MIGHT be of your rifle.

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That's a great idea! Thanks .. :thup:

Claven2 who handled the rifle up close, thought that because the fore-end cut back is so very clean and well done, that it might have been done at factory or back at depot with good equipment on hand, as opposed to being done in the field.

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Originally Posted by Surpmil

And it would appear you have one of the reproduction rubber eyecups fitted to the scope as it looks thicker than the originals and does not have the holes to prevent suction on recoil. That and the colour and thickness of the rubber and the visible mold line around the lip.

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Yup, sorry, my fault ... :o

I should have mentioned that I put that repro rubber cup on in place of the original which came with the rifle, but it's so hard and broken that it wouldn't stay on the scope. I had two repro cups that I got a few years ago for my wife's U.S. W&S scopes because they had similar aging problems with their original eye cups, so I simply used one of them for the photos. I'll include the original and lay t beside the scope in the final MKL photo montage. :thup:

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Originally Posted by Surpmil

The cup is aligned for a shooter using the left eye BTW. Possible, but unlikely I think. Easily rotated of course.

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Thanks .. :thup:

I'll try to remember to rotate it 180 degrees when I get to the large photo montage shoot, that I hope to accomplish this week.

Regards,
Badger

Badger,
I ran across your Ross sniper posts. This one has a short stock, is that the norm? In my Ross Rifle Story, page 180 the one they show has a full stock? Which is correct?
Thanks,
Bigedac