First Ross

[Surpmil]

It's generally said that the MkII variants never got to France, but here is one that did: used by Henry Norwest

Notice the two holes on the receiver ring and the rectangular slot in the handguard: a typical CEF mounting for the Winchester A5. When this rifle was retired the scope and bases were probably fitted to his next rifle by the battalion armourer. The museum that has this one is said to have the three rifles he used successively. The last is a MkIII Ross, but the first one I have no info on. Probably another MkII of some type. That might sound odd, but he was a very well known character in the Corps by the time he died.

I doubt that the sight shown fitted to the rifle would have been there when the scope was fitted: no clearance. The base howevever would have been fitted from new since there is no other provision for a backsight.

The barrel on this variant is very similar to the barrel on the MkIII, much heavier than your rifle has. These were a formidable match rifle as records of the time attest; as do some more recent user reports.