Ross M.1910 Mk.III Warner & Swasey Sniper Rifle Restoration

[Promo]

Last three pics.

Decided to restore it to resemble one of the snipers with the cutdown stock. Not only because they are different, but also because a sporter 1910 stock is easier to source. Doesn't look too bad when in hands!

[browningautorifle]

Very nice...finally.

[NORTHOF60]

Amazing work - thank-you very much. Too few of us have the where-with-all, skills, and dedication to take on a project like this.

[vykkagur]

Fine piece of work indeed. Well done, and compliments to your gunsmith, also.

[Surpmil]

Well done. I see a few small differences from Doug's example, but that's not a bad thing at all. Perhaps a good soak in linseed would help to return the stock & handguard to what I assume was their original length.

[gordon. byrne]

very nice George ,you must be happy to finally see it complete ,looks great.

[Promo]

Hey Gordon, I hope you like the results! Appreciate your feedback!

[soonerfan66]

You have my complete admiration . Hope you give us a range report .

[Salt Flat]

Promo-- Fantastic restoration befitting of the Promo museum! I am curious about the micro welding. Can you give any details about the process and equipment? Thanks Salt Flat

[Promo]

You have my complete admiration . Hope you give us a range report .

Thanks! I am afraid however that you'll not get a range report since I do not plan to shoot with this rifle. While from a technical point of view I'd trust the repair (that in fact reinforced the rifle), I generally prefer to rather not shoot my items of higher value since you usually never know what could happen. I have enough guns to shoot, so no necessity to bring this one to the range. I'd rather enjoy it holding it in hands and to imagine what it once had seen in the field.

Salt Flat, laser welding is basically welding, but the method of the laser allows to bring the temperature in very quickly and very precisely. Therefore temperature cannot go too far and result in (major) damage of the original heat treatment, as well as the weldseam usually is much more precise than with normal welding. I didn't do this, nor did the person who did the whole restoration for me do it himself. He used a laser welding company which he had worked with in the past to do this work. They should know what they are doing, plus very important is also the material you "add" to the object you repair. If not of similar (steel) mixture it might look the same when blank, but once finish is applied, you'll have different colors. And finally, there were several laser welding sessions invested in this rifle. Basically you add material, but you can't be this precise to already be in full shape back again. So material gets added by welding, then milled back in shape. And sometimes in small spots the welding was not enough so you'd need to do this area a second time. Plus of course during welding you can only add small amount of material, this means if a larger chip is missing you'd need a replacement part in approx shape which is then by welding affixed to the rifle. As you might now see yourself, not an easy task and something you'd only do with items that are really worth the work.