Ross Rifle Identification?

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Originally Posted by green

Agree , the number on the barrel is not a serial number but one of the cryptic stamps that RRCo used.

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Okay, I checked again, the numbers shown in the picture above are the only ones. So if the barrel is cut down, it should be larger at the end than a 28" barrel, right? The barrel diameter on mine is 0.620" at the back end of the front sight, 0.562" at the front (muzzle end) of the front sight. Can anybody measure their barrel diameter on a 28" barrel to compare? Thanks in advance!

Another detail that I think might also point to a sporterized military model - I finally took the action completely out of the stock, and on the bottom of the barrel directly opposite of the rear sight are two holes that I think went to the original front sight. I assume this means that the barrel was rotated 180 degrees and rechambered?

One final detail - it has a crown over "I" over "Q" on the top of the barrel. Is there any significance to that?

Crown I (numeral 1) Q is the mark of military inspector #1 at RRCo stamped on top of barrel.
Ross commercial serial numbers were stamped length wise on lhs of chamber immediately in front of receiver.

Serial numbers on commercial 1905's were also stamped on the stock under the butt plate. Not sure about the 1910's, but suspect they were similarly marked. As others have stated, the 3 digit number on the bbl is not a commercial Ross serial number. That looks to be a military front sight, which would be secured by a set screw under the sight blade. The commercial front sights are secured by a cross pin, which should be visible below the hood. There appears to be a pronounced step in the bbl at the front sight, which suggests the shortened bbl was turned down to accommodate the sight. The rear sight base looks to be the modified remnant of the original Mk II*** sight base, which is basically the same sight base found on a Long Lee or carbine. As others have stated - modified Mk II***.

Okay, thanks for the replies. Definitely looks like a sporterized military model. I assume the sporterization was done by a professional, since the barrel was apparently turned and rechambered, which is beyond even Bubba's considerable talent. FYI, there is nothing that looks like a serial number on or under the buttplate either.

One final question, at least for today: What type of finish did the military Ross rifle have? Was it blued or painted?

It is very unlikely the barrel was set back and re-chambered. The barrel thread on Mk II's, with the exception of the Mk II**, is three TPI. A 180 degree rotation would set the barrel back almost 3/16" and the thread locking screw would likely be no longer able to engage the thread. At least some of the rear sight bases on the Mk II have two points of attachment on the underside of the barrel. Those are likely the holes you see.

Okay thanks, that makes a lot more sense. So I guess the story of the barrels being turned and rechambered to eliminate the slop in military chambers is a firearms "urban legend"?

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Originally Posted by fritz1255

Okay thanks, that makes a lot more sense. So I guess the story of the barrels being turned and rechambered to eliminate the slop in military chambers is a firearms "urban legend"?

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Ross .303 Model 10

Click on above.

Mk. III rifles have conventional right hand square threads, so it would be possible for barrels to be set back and rechambered.
The unusual barrel threads on Mk. II rifles (apart from II**) would make this a very challenging operation.

I was able to do a few more measurements on the barrel and front sight. It looks like the barrel was shortened to 24 inches, then a step was cut into the muzzle end of the barrel prior to remounting the original military front sight. Looks like Bluenoser had the right explanation.

Fritz, I like it as is. It may not be a high dollar collector piece but still an interesting rifle that could be a good shooter. If the rust on the barrel bothers you it could be removed by the electrolysis method. Thumbs up! Salt Flat