possibly traded for a 1903 Ross, help identifying?

[flying pig]

From the Ross Forum.AGB-1http://www.rossrifle.com/

I'd really like to join that site but it won't let me register, says registration is deactivated...

Never mind I figured out why, figured it must have been something like that. See you over there!

[flying pig]

Here's the updated pictures after a thorough cleaning. Bore has strong rifling but the grooves are just pitted enough to be rough and dark. maybe with any luck it will improve with some shooting? Wishful thinking I bet...

Stock turned out great. Love the colors! Should have worn gloves for the photos, the streaks are from me.

Having some good luck on parts too, see how things go in the coming weeks! Have some good leads and some awesome new contacts. Thanks to everyone who has helped with this!

Think I'll take it to Corelane's and see if there gunsmith is confident that he can solder that rear sight back together. If he has any doubts at all I'll wait to find someone who is 100% sure. I really like that shop and I'm sure they will do a fine job, they build rifles for a living after all!

What are you guys' opinions on the blueing on the barrel? The original blue under the rear hanguard is beautiful and bright. Wondering if I shouldn't just take paint stripper to that soft chipped ugly black paint on the barrel and have a pro reblue the barrel. Also had rust blueing suggested too.
Did a quick function test with a .303 snap cap, the magazine won't feed and the rifle extracts but does not eject. Any ideas?

Here's the pics:

[AGB-1]

Springs on the feed and eject problem.AGB-1

[flying pig]

AGB-1, load problem was the meat behind the buttplate. Mag cut off was activated. Figured that out. Ejector spring is broken upon closer look.

[smellie]

This is exactly the kin of find that those of us without a great deal of $$$ hope for!

Restoration of the wood will be relative easy; hardest part will be trying to find a matching piece or Romanian walnut. Hopefully, something else might be matched.

The rifle is definitely a late Mark I; I have a Mark II here with the serial number only 2 letter-groups away. It is marked 1906.

I have been in touch with Flying Pig via PMs since this topic first arose.

Personally, I would like to know how it shoots!
.

[flying pig]

Smellie, full range report on its way as soon as I get a handle on that back sight issue, dust cover screw and ejector spring. Once the planets align it will be headed out with a variety of loads. Was thinking I'd try Sierra 174 match kings and maybe pro hunter 180s. Do the Rosses perefer flat based bullets too? Should I load light or just do a normal ladder test? Can't wait to see what this old beauty will do, lot better than its young shooter I bet! It hasn't had any exercise in at least a half century, I think it deserves it.

[boltaction]

What you have is a 1903 Mk I*--someone provided the link to the photos of my 1903, which is the Mk I, first issue, with the ridiculously long and badly calibrated rear sight. That model was rapidly replaced with the Mk I*, which has the rearsight yours does, but retains the other features of the Model 1903--a heavy , shrouded bolt (which yours looks to have) which is rather hard to close gently--requires a fairly good shove to close. It also has a flat topped bolt release button, and the button type magazine cut-off switch. Yours should also have the knurled cocking piece, which is rather difficult to grab onto. I don't know if the markings on the left side of the receiver of your rifle are visible or not--you don't show them in the photos. However, they should say 1903. Your buttstock markings should also be much simpler than the later models.

The 1903 model was replaced with the 1905, but 1903's were made through 1905 and if I recall correctly into 1906, so a barrel date of 1905 on yours does not mean it is a model 1905. The 1905 is the one we more commonly run into now, with the solid bolt head, no bolt shroud, easier to close bolt, slightly rounded and ridged bolt release button, magazine cutoff removed and replaced with the Harris depressor lever system, etc, but the first 1905's maintained that rearsight which is on your rifle.

You seem to have made a damn good trade for an SKS! You have a rare rifle. Bubba did indeed take off the forewood, but that can be replaced. The barrel bands will be somewhat challenging to find, but not impossible.

Enjoy!

Ed

[flying pig]

Sorry Edf, thought I had included the other set of photos from when it first arrived. Yes it does say 1903 on the receiver, and has all the other features you listed. Definitely a MkI*. I've sourced up most of the pieces already I think, with the exception of the magazine switch. I've found a fellow who will build a fore end. His other ones I've found pictures of look very nice. Its all coming together.

[flying pig]

So I was able to find a replacement for one of the missing screws for the front sight hood form a CGNer. Also installed a front sight hood. I was able to retrieve the broken screw from the dust cover and replaced it. I built a new ejector spring and installed that as well. The rifle now has all of its functions back except the magazine cut off switch and I'm going to build one of those from scratch as well. Just waiting on a friend who ma have some of the other parts for me to return from a trip, and to hear from the fellow who is building the fore end extension and I should have it pretty well back to original form.

Things are looking up!

New ejector spring:



Rear sight repairs my friend made.

[Ax.303]

Coming along just fine. Looks like you are about ready to blast off a few.

I don`t know if anyone mentioned it,
The bores on the Mk I & early Mk II Rosses are around .300.

If you are going to shoot it lots, you might want to make up some cast loads for this one. Or maybe neck down a bit for .308 bullets.

Let us know how you make out.