Military rifles and Ross rifles in particular.
Hi there. My collecting interest is classic sporting firearms, preferably with a New Zealand connection. Of course, I'm a typical collector, I want firearms with lots of history but in fine condition...It occurred to me recently that every sporting centrefire rifle I possess began life as a military action made up into a sporter by the relevant factory, whether it be Mauser, Steyr, Remington, B.S.A., Webley, etc.
One of my interests is in Ross rifles. This was mainly sparked by my great grandfather (Neil Ross) telling my mother that he was a cousin of Sir Charles. Whether he was a second cousin or 42nd cousin I don't know, unfortunately. I have a couple of very nice sporters, a 1905E and an M-10, with the hope of getting a nice 1905R next year.
The rifle I am buying at the moment from an elderly collector (just because he is old doesn't mean I'm getting it cheap!), is a Mark III military rifle. Although there was a small amount of use by the New Zealand military of the Ross, restricted I believe to the Royal New Zealand Navy, about a third of the examples owned by collectors in NZ have come from the Chilean Navy, via ex-HMS Canada - as is the one I am buying. It has its matching bayonet, both with a DA56 serial. I actually haven't seen it in the flesh yet but the rifles I have bought from the same collector have always turned out to be described accurately.
The reason why I am confident in predicting the PROPORTION of Chilean rifles here is because I have kept every NZ Antique Arms, and Militaria auction catalogue since 1981 and they are a mine of information. For instance, I see that that over that time 18 military Ross rifles have been sold through those auctions - some more than once. There was only one Mark II which sold in 2002 for $NZ 2,200 - serious money! The other 17 have been Mark III's ranging from Indian DP's to a Canadian (I presume) Home Guard rifle. The Latter went for $NZ 3,200 - it must have been a good one. I think I read on your site that the HG rifles are often in top condition.
I am going to have to wait until Christmas before I pick the Mark III up so I will post photos then of the stock and metal markings and ask you guys (and maybe gals?) for comment. At the moment I don't know whether it has the desirable "CEF" stamp. I presume that even though it has a low "DA" serial, it won't necessarily be an early Mark III because the Chilean Navy would have stamped the rifles randomly.
I presume that I click on the "attachment" icon to post pictures?
New member from the foothills of N.E. GA
Hi. New to the forum. Primarily interested in the M1 carbine.
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New member in need of help
Hi all I have a No.4 Mk1* for sale but before so i'm in need of some help.
My No.4 is a Long Branch 1942 Dated. The help I seek is information about the stock marking on it. It appears to be a sequence of letters and numbers located on the LH side of the stock. Photo provided. Admin feel free to relocate or delete post if inappropriate
Attachment 84313 Attachment 84314
Regards,
Lucas.