My Great Big MkII** Ross Rifle Project.

[BrianLara400*]

Hi Everyone
Recently picked up a MkII** (assuming it to be a commercial) .303 that has at some time in its past been seriously "got at", and as a result there's an amount of work and (unobtainable) componentry required to get it back to something nearing its original (glorious) condition.


What I intend this thread to be is a place to chart the progress I'm making towards the restoration, but also somewhere I can ask a few of the questions I'm bound to encounter along the way.

Among the unobtainable trinkets that my rifle is currently missing, :

#MkII** Nose Cap (to suit the heavier profile barrel)

#Rear sling swivel

#Bolt that retains the middle barrel band

#MkII front sight assembly--------------(FOUND)

#Now just need the sight hood

#"Keeper Ferrule"-------------(DONE)


Now given there's not been a ross made in close to 100 years, and that these same items are the ones everyone seems to be looking for: I'm very realistic about the prospects of tracking some of these parts down - so I'll be looking to machine/fabricate any of those which I can't source in the meantime.

The first of those parts I've resorted to making is the serrated "keeper Ferrule" (not sure of the official Ross Nomenclature) that engages the twin front action screws of the MkII ross (assumedly to prevent the screws loosening under recoil) . Had been told these tiny little pieces are virtually unobtainium, and can certainly imagine these'd be the first item lost once a rifle's been disassembled a number of times and in reality its probably of questionable necessity to the rifles machinations anyway.


Mill set up in horizontal guise with the dividing head


Close up of the machining details


Note: The split magazine box and twin front action screws (and serrated keeper) necessitated by the arm of the "Harris" follower being on the centre line of the action.


The "Keeper" installed in its pocket, engaging the other screw heads.
The heads of these action screws are visibly mangled so if these can't be tidied up a bit, I may resort machining some replacements of these too. ("slippery slope"... I Know)
Does anyone know the dimensions of the little bolt that holds the "keeper"?


Also wondering if anyone's got drawings or dimensions for a II** (heavy) barrel? If not can anyone can comment on how close the barrel profile might be, to those used on the later MkIII's? The situation is the barrel on mine has been shortened from its original 30 1/2" length, and I'm thinking its a "ring-in" that's been fitted at a much later date (so can't really base my profile measurements off this, to order the new barrel).

"TSE" a local Australian barrel maker has a profile on record for a "Ross Rifle" (generic) from diameter measurements he has lifted off a MkIII DP rifle and I need to determine how close this would be to what II** is meant to have?

Any info would be really appreciated
Thanks

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