M1905 Ross Rifle

[boltaction]

Ed, thanks for the information on the markings. I don't see the stamp you referenced that might be a "CA". The only one on the right that is anyway similar is "T C G A" jim

Sorry, should have said to the left. You have the Ross factory roundel stamp, the Mk II designation followed by the serial number stamped over and beside the date of manufacture, 1909. Above the Ross factory stamp is the 3* designation for the model or model conversion. Next to that, above the "II" is the scored out issue mark 1 over CA over 3-10 over 275. As best I can tell, that mark would indicate that in March 1910 the rifle was rack/rifle number 275, issued to probably 1st battery or battalion Canadian Artillery. Then the stamp next to that is the February 1912 one to Canadian Garrison Artillery, presumably rack/rifle number 2. The mark in front of the CGA is not a T I don't think, as the vertical is sloped. As it is, probably issued to 4th brigade, 7th battery CGA.

Canadian regimental marks are a bit confusing (or at least I find them so) and the only book I've ever been able to find on them is Manarey's Marks of the Regiments, and it is not complete. If anyone knows of a newer, more up to date and complete book, it would be great to know about that. When a rifle was issued to a unit, the unit and date of issue was stamped into the wood. When a weapon was reissued to a different unit, the original marks were "crossed out" and new ones stamped. Ross Mk III are very interesting as they sometimes have both the pre-war stamps and then the later CEF round stamps.

All the Ross Mk II3* I have seen which were sent to the US have their US issue stamp on the underside of the buttstock on the wrist, as yours is. You have your flaming Ordnance bomb thing, then US, then the rifle number. Some were further stamped depending on where they went. I've seen one with markings for a New York Home Guard unit.

Anyway, lots of history with that rifle, and neat to see who had it. It was definitely an artillery issue after it left the factory.

Cheers

Ed

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[mr68gto]

Great write up Ed! I'm going save this and include with the Rifle. Can't be many people around that know how to interpret those markings. We might sell this, don't know yet.