Looking for a Ross...which one to get?

[tiriaq]

Mk. II** rifles were issued, with various sights. Privately purchased rifles were essentially the same rifles, minus issue stampings. I think that units trained and drilled with II*, II***, II**** and II***** rifles, reserving the II** for the ranges. The Ross .280 Match rifles are entirely different, they weren't service. II** rifles were fired in military competitions in Canada and England, both issue and privately owned. The not a service rifle complaint was about fitting a bayonet. The Minister of Militia and Defence stated that the rifle was indeed a service rifle, and that was the end of it. Some II** came equipped with aperture sights, others were retrofitted. The BSA Martin sight on my II** rifle was the original and only sight installed. There is a saying that Sir Charles Ross never made the same rifle twice. A bit of an exaggeration, but there is some truth to it; there are a myriad of variations. You might want to discuss status with the CMP, in case a rifle presents itself. Their matches, their rules. You wouldn't want to spend a lot of money on a rifle then find out it didn't qualify.
A II*** would be fun to take to the matches. Some issue sights (barrel mounted) had only notches, others had an aperture as well - like a M1903. Use the aperture for target shooting. Mk. II rifles were issued with a number of rear sights. There was never a single standard.
Incidentally, II** rifles are tightly chambered. If a cartridge is fired in a Lee Enfield, and then full length sized, it will not chamber in a II** Ross. I had to make a die to reduce the diameter back toward the head.

Information

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[Gustro79]

Mk. II** rifles were issued, with various sights. Privately purchased rifles were essentially the same rifles, minus issue stampings. I think that units trained and drilled with II*, II***, II**** and II***** rifles, reserving the II** for the ranges. The Ross .280 Match rifles are entirely different, they weren't service. II** rifles were fired in military competitions in Canada and England, both issue and privately owned. The not a service rifle complaint was about fitting a bayonet. The Minister of Militia and Defence stated that the rifle was indeed a service rifle, and that was the end of it. Some II** came equipped with aperture sights, others were retrofitted. The BSA Martin sight on my II** rifle was the original and only sight installed. There is a saying that Sir Charles Ross never made the same rifle twice. A bit of an exaggeration, but there is some truth to it; there are a myriad of variations. You might want to discuss status with the CMP, in case a rifle presents itself. Their matches, their rules. You wouldn't want to spend a lot of money on a rifle then find out it didn't qualify.
A II*** would be fun to take to the matches. Some issue sights (barrel mounted) had only notches, others had an aperture as well - like a M1903. Use the aperture for target shooting. Mk. II rifles were issued with a number of rear sights. There was never a single standard.
Incidentally, II** rifles are tightly chambered. If a cartridge is fired in a Lee Enfield, and then full length sized, it will not chamber in a II** Ross. I had to make a die to reduce the diameter back toward the head.

GREAT info, thanks. And now I really need to have one. If anyone has or knows of one sitting in a safe somewhere and will let it get back on the competition firing line let me know. I have equally cool trades.

[Gary D]

Sorry for jumping in here late, but I am assuming you are still in search of your Ross or you have robbed a bank after finding a seller. Well here is some additional hope for you. One of the most forgotten Ross configurations is probably the most common and the least expensive, frequently being offered up for under $500. Why? because it is typically mistaken for a sporterized rifle, where in fact is is a WWII Canadian arsenal modification. As detailed in the Ross Rifle Story, Many of the surpluss stored Ross mkIII rifles were shortened to 24.75 inches adn the forearm shortened to just beyond the mid band eliminating the nose cap and bayonet lug. These were issued apparently for Canadian Home guard duty primarily and not of the better documented British Home Guard rifles. So as a WWII arsenal modification they are still very much military configuration rifles suitable for any milsurp competition. And you will save enough $$ to buy a copy of the Ross Rifle Story to take with you to support your claim at the shoot should someone object. here is a good example:

Ross 1910 Modified WW2 Guard Gun

[Gustro79]

Sorry for jumping in here late, but I am assuming you are still in search of your Ross or you have robbed a bank after finding a seller. Well here is some additional hope for you. One of the most forgotten Ross configurations is probably the most common and the least expensive, frequently being offered up for under $500. Why? because it is typically mistaken for a sporterized rifle, where in fact is is a WWII Canadian arsenal modification. As detailed in the Ross Rifle Story, Many of the surpluss stored Ross mkIII rifles were shortened to 24.75 inches adn the forearm shortened to just beyond the mid band eliminating the nose cap and bayonet lug. These were issued apparently for Canadian Home guard duty primarily and not of the better documented British Home Guard rifles. So as a WWII arsenal modification they are still very much military configuration rifles suitable for any milsurp competition. And you will save enough $$ to buy a copy of the Ross Rifle Story to take with you to support your claim at the shoot should someone object. here is a good example:

Ross 1910 Modified WW2 Guard Gun

Thanks for the heads up on that variant...I will look twice at every "sporterized" MkIII that I see.
Since my last post I have purchased two Ross rifles that I have not yet received. No banks were robbed. Both were relatively affordable but had limited descriptions and below average pics and may or may not prove to be decent examples. One is the typical US MKII and the other is a MKIII that was missing parts. I have found the big parts and now need some screws.
I will post pictures when I get these in my hands and determine if I did OK or not. Thank you to all for your help!

[Gustro79]

Mk. II** rifles were issued, with various sights. Privately purchased rifles were essentially the same rifles, minus issue stampings. I think that units trained and drilled with II*, II***, II**** and II***** rifles, reserving the II** for the ranges. The Ross .280 Match rifles are entirely different, they weren't service. II** rifles were fired in military competitions in Canada and England, both issue and privately owned. The not a service rifle complaint was about fitting a bayonet. The Minister of Militia and Defence stated that the rifle was indeed a service rifle, and that was the end of it. Some II** came equipped with aperture sights, others were retrofitted. The BSA Martin sight on my II** rifle was the original and only sight installed. There is a saying that Sir Charles Ross never made the same rifle twice. A bit of an exaggeration, but there is some truth to it; there are a myriad of variations. You might want to discuss status with the CMP, in case a rifle presents itself. Their matches, their rules. You wouldn't want to spend a lot of money on a rifle then find out it didn't qualify.
A II*** would be fun to take to the matches. Some issue sights (barrel mounted) had only notches, others had an aperture as well - like a M1903. Use the aperture for target shooting. Mk. II rifles were issued with a number of rear sights. There was never a single standard.
Incidentally, II** rifles are tightly chambered. If a cartridge is fired in a Lee Enfield, and then full length sized, it will not chamber in a II** Ross. I had to make a die to reduce the diameter back toward the head.

So I have the 1910...it is pretty great. Better than I thought it would be. I really can't wait to shoot this but I will need to get it together first. It was missing the magazine, floor plate and butt plate but I acquired those. It has seen some light sandpaper but the cartouches are still very visible. Great bore.
As mentioned, I have the big parts but need 6 screws and a rear sling swivel. I need the following screws: action screws, butt plate screws, front band screw and rear sling screw. Any help with those parts or info on this rifle would be appreciated. Thank you!

[tiriaq]

Brit. proof marks? I would suspect that it was commercially sported in England. Note absence of markings on the right side of the thoroughly refinished stock.

[Gary D]

yes that is an excellent point. With British proofs it would not likely be one of the Canadian WWII rifles although it may appear the same. Canadian WWII ones would not have british proofs and be more likely to have CRB or PRY. I didn't notice that originally, I agree Joe is likely wrong on this one. As for the scrubbed stock I wouldn't hang my hat on that either way as I would actually be more surprised if an armoury would leave those on in a FTR come WWII of a WWI rifle.

[Ax.303]

yes that is an excellent point. With British proofs it would not likely be one of the Canadian WWII rifles although it may appear the same. Canadian WWII ones would not have british proofs and be more likely to have CRB or PRY. I didn't notice that originally, I agree Joe is likely wrong on this one. As for the scrubbed stock I wouldn't hang my hat on that either way as I would actually be more surprised if an armoury would leave those on in a FTR come WWII of a WWI rifle.

A couple of members here (smellie and buffdog) did some research a while back, and were reasonably sure that CRB PLY and PHAB markings found on Rosses referred to Royal Marine bases in England.

PLY would have been issued to Royal Marines at Plymouth, CRB at Crombe and PHAB for Priddies Hard.

It`s not very likely that any rifle with these markings was in use by the Canadian Rangers in WW II.

[tiriaq]

I remember Joe selling an as issued Mk. III rifle. Looong write-up of the history of the rifle, as recorded on the right side of the butt. But the stock had the half moon cuts in front of the breech where the Indian deact pin had been welded in place. The barrelled action was intact, however. Most likely a sported rifle restocked with a stock salvaged from one of the Indian drill rifles. Price didn't reflect it though.

[Gary D]

Joe has a lot of really nice stuff from time to time, but really you do need to know what you are looking at. You can easily pay a ton for improperly described items.