Book Review - The Ross Rifle Story, Ian McCollum

[fritz1255]

This review was posted on "Forgotten Weapons" about four years ago. The words are Ian McCollum's, not mine:

“The Ross Rifle Story” is the Bible of Ross rifle collecting – it is the only substantial reference work on the subject and it has a tremendous amount of information about the development of the Ross. However, it is also one of the worst-edited firearms reference books I am aware of. It has a second Table of Contents on page 85 – need I say more than that?

Well, I will. The photographs are black and white and often too dark or too light. Beyond it really being two separate manuscripts printed back to back, the organization is really lacking. Finding information in the book is sometimes very difficult, as the subject matter jumps around a lot. The story of the Ross – especially separating the civilian and military development – is a pretty complicated one, and even a well-edited book on the subject might be a bit difficult to parse. This book is really bad at times.

But for all that, it *does* have the information (with only a few errors), and it’s the only book that does. If you are interested in the Ross, this is a must-have book despite its problems.

A second printing was run in 2002, and not much effort was put into marketing it. Despite the online prices all being $300+, the seller still has a couple dozen copies remaining as of this writing. To order one (for $100 plus shipping, via PayPal) email him at ross.rifle.story@sympatico.ca .

Since this review was published, the second printing has been sold out, so if you want this book, you will have to find it on the secondary market. The only thing I can add is that the book at times has the look and feel of a college term paper - it seems like the authors were trying to fill pages rather than present useful information. Do we REALLY need to see pictures of Sir Charles Ross's three wives?

Information

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[Sapper740]

Interesting. I just picked up a copy of the 1984 edition and although I've only read the first chapter I did leaf through the book to see what it offered and found that the pictures I saw, if anything were too light but one could still glean any info required from them. Yes, there is a Table of Contents on P. 85 but that is because it is the start of Book Two so it only makes sense to have an index there. The Ross Rifle Story, at least as far as I've read is a fascinating background look at the how the Ross Rifle came to be and what a force of nature Sir Charles Ross was. Yes, the book isn't as slick as it could be, and does jump around a little but that was Sir Charles life in a nutshell as he avoided his wife's barristers, police attempting to serve warrants, and the taxman trying to collect back taxes on his estate. For those of us interested in the disposition of the Ross Rifles, many of which are not accounted for, some of the mystery surrounding the rifles is revealed when you read about the Chilean Ross's, the Canadian penitentiary Ross's, the 200 Ross's dumped into the Cromarty Firth by the police, and the Fort Worth Zoo worker who stopped an elephant gone berserk with his Ross in 1940. Where else are you going to find such detail about the rifle? Personally, I prefer solid substance over slick presentation and this book so far is worth every penny I paid for it.

[JUNGLECARB]

there is one showing at a site that usually sells off farm equipment--current price bid is 3 dollars--auction ends tomorrow---maybe somebody is interested --LOT # : 859 - THE ROSS RIFLE STORY--at Snider's Sydenham Auction & Appraisal Services Inc. and the Rockford Auction Centre --OWEN SOUND

[mr.e moose]

^^^
That book is now $27.50 with 6 hours to go in the auction. Not a bad deal if you could get it for less than $100.00.
Also that auction house has numerous lots of milsurp. I had not heard of them before, but I will have to keep checking on them in the future.

[browningautorifle]

That book is now $27.50 with 6 hours to go

If only it stays like that. So often someone has theirs set to snipe in the last fifteen seconds and the price goes through the roof. But if you're intent on buying it then what matter?

[green]

Sold for $90

[jond41403]

I must admit when it comes to auctions, I am a sniper haha. Don't want to give the other guy a chance to think too much so I usually just put my highest dollar I'm willing to go when it gets down to 5 seconds left. 99% of the time I'll come out winning. Some people think it's redneck but I think all is fair in love and war ,especially since it's not against the rules. I have tried it the other way without sniping and usually end up paying a lot more that way.

[JUNGLECARB]

The book sold for 95.00,pretty good for something thats out of print.

[Aragorn243]

I bought one on eBay not too long ago for $160. I am underwhelmed by it. But, it is the only one.