My new Ross Rifle Mk.III

[tiriaq]

Stocks are walnut or birch.

[glycerin]

Oatmealn metal, I used hardware store paint stripper, requires several coats, a stiff plastic windshield scrapper, steel wool, q-tips and tooth picks. If you had time and a pipe to submerge in, even kerosene or paint thinner might work. That's an ugly buttstock repair, if it isn't solid, consider using CTC marine epoxy(or brownell's epoxy), but only if wood isn't oil soaked. Screws can be replaced with wood dowels.

[green]

WWI HG were officially civilian rifle clubs. Did a survey of HG Mk IIIs and they were in the 12-13000 range IIRC and I believe they were in the Ross sporter serial # progression. In 1914 Sir Charles was actively seeking foreign orders, Russia for one.

[tiriaq]

It would make sense that they are numbered in with the sporters. The small aperture rear sight also fits with the rifle club connection. I'll double check the serial on the one from Bancroft.

[green]

Small aperture is first pattern. Aperture enlarged later.
Unit markings observed
NIAGARA FALLS
##

CY
##
(County of York?)

BofM
##
(Bank of Montreal?)

HG
60

TPF
##

HHGRA
(Hamilton HG Rifle Assoc)

UCC
(Upper Canada College)

EC
##
(Essex County?)

US consul in Niagara Falls complained of aggressive patrolling by HG on border in 1914.
One seen in 14 and 15M range.
HG rifles did not have roundel , mark or serial # stamped on butt.

[Oatmeal Savage]

I removed the paint and the stripper never touched the bluing. Go figure.

Oatmealn metal, I used hardware store paint stripper, requires several coats, a stiff plastic windshield scrapper, steel wool, q-tips and tooth picks. If you had time and a pipe to submerge in, even kerosene or paint thinner might work. That's an ugly buttstock repair, if it isn't solid, consider using CTC marine epoxy(or brownell's epoxy), but only if wood isn't oil soaked. Screws can be replaced with wood dowels.

[Oatmeal Savage]

Update. I have cut out the toasted parts of the stock and am fitting the replacement inserts. I will post more pics.

[Oatmeal Savage]

Here is the stock so far. I am not a woodworker, but it is coming along. I mixed the glue with walnut dust then I used it to bed the blocks and fill the edges of the joints. The profile I have is just from photographs as I don't have another Mk.III to compare it with.

Photos after - before

[Claven2]

Just a thought, but wouldn't it be easy to locate a sporterized Ross stock that's nicer than yours to restore? All those patches won;t look quite right no matter what you do IMHO.

[Oatmeal Savage]

Hey man don't rain on my parade!:-) Going into this I knew the stock was toast so I thought I would attempt to repair the stock. I have nothing to lose and I think it will look better when I finish. When I find a better stock I will replace this one.