New purchase - possible 1905 M

[Bluenoser]

Ax.303 has made some thought-provoking observations and I will try to address each individually. I will open by saying that, at the moment, I believe the clues suggesting this is likely a 1905 M outweigh those suggesting otherwise. However, that could well change.

Rear sight:
The example in TRRS does indeed have a Mk. II rear sight and this one does have a Mk III rear sight. I have not seen the 1909 Ross Sporting Rifle Catalogue, but understand that also shows a First Type 1905 M with a Mk II rear sight. Do we know for a fact that the 1905 M (First Type) was only produced with the Mk II rear sight? I suspect we might be making an assumption based on TRRS and documented examples. It might be correct, and it might not. According to TRRS, the Mk III rear sight was first used in September of 1907 and was discontinued in May of 1909. Sir Charles was notorious for tweaking the design of his rifles. I understand the 1905 M, at least the First Type, was assembled from on-hand parts and, perhaps, previously assembled military rifles. Is it possible some 1905 Ms were produced with Mk III rear sights due to a shortage of Mk II sights, or for some other reason? Is it possible some Mk IIs with Mk III rear sight (ref. pg 170) were converted to sporting rifles? That might explain some of what we see here.
I honestly don't know the answer to those questions and am not knowledgeable enough to form a sound opinion.

With regard to barrel length:
According to the Sporting Rifle Serial Number Database, examples of the1905 M are known to have 24", 26" and 28" barrels. The 24" barrel could well have been shortened and the majority are 26". I can see a sporting rifle composed of military rifle parts having a military-length barrel. This would be a good time to point out this rifle also has a military-style front sight base having four hood screws.

The mid band:
The later style mid band is the reason I suspected this might be a post-production sporterized Mk II with Mk III rear sight, rather than a 1905 M, when I first saw it. Is this the only known example of a suspected 1905 M with a later-style mid band? This could go back to the question of available parts and substitutions, or it could go back to the question regarding possible conversion of the Mk II with Mk III rear sight.

Flat butt plate:
This is an interesting point, and one that might be particularly relevant. Are we certain no 1905 M having a military butt plate was produced?

Forend shape:
I am not seeing a considerable difference. I only see two minor differences. The front hand guard does not extend forward of the band, and could not due to the shape of the mid band. The fore stock forward of the band is rounded, rather than bobbed, which may, or may not, be how it left the factory - if it is indeed a 1905 M.

Serial number:
The serial number is the primary reason I lean toward this being a 1905 M. The font is different, it is larger and it is upside down, for which I have no explanation. That said, I have never seen a serial number in that location on a military rifle.

Production date:
Why the suggestion the serial number would be in the low four digits by the time this rifle was built? Do we know the date range during which the 1905 M was produced? The lowest serial number for a 1905 M recorded in the database is 894, and that is a first variation. This one is 445 - if it is a serial number. How might that mesh with possible excess inventory of the Mk II with Mk III rear sight, which could not have been produced earlier than September of 1907 and was not likely produced much later than May of 1909?

D^C stamp:
In my opinion, this is the strongest indicator the rifle is not a 1905 M. I have no explanation for it and would be interested to know where, and at what point, the stamp might have been applied.

Additional information:
There is no "303 Ross" stamp on the knox.
I have come to realize the absence of military acceptance marks on the barrel of a Ross does not imply a commercial rifle.

I thank Ax.303 for his thought-provoking observations and hope he and others will continue to participate in the discussion. I am anxious to learn.

Information

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