My Ross Rifle

[Amatikulu]

I had to post some pics of my Ross here to honor this forum

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Badger]

Now, that's a beauty ...

Regards,
Badger

[gunner]

Beautiful rifle, but over here you can`t get it or you can`t pay it !!!

Regards

Gunner

[rayg]

Nice rifle Looks like it has an original sling also. Any maker or date stamp on the sling? Ray

[Amatikulu]

Ray,

The sling and bayonet came with the rifle - it is marked "Coles Bros. 1916"

It is missing the rear handguard....anyone got one for me?

[rayg]

Most likely Coles Bros is a Canadian firm being on the Ross. Check for a Canadian proof mark. The Ross I have also has a sling on it with the Canadian proof mark and a Canadian makers name stamped in it with the date of 1914. Nice to be able to follow the history of these rifles as all the history is stamped on the stocks. I was advised that the stampings on the butt stock of mine indicates that the rifle was once issued to the senior Royal Canadian Regt. (RCR) Ray

[Gibbs505]

very nice indeed

[Amatikulu]

Some time ago I posted a picture of this rifle's butt stock on Gunboards as the CEF (Canadian Expeditionary Force) stamp intrigued me. Here is the response I got which was very informative:

Amatikulu;

The markings on your Ross clearly indicate issue to 73rd Battalion (5th Regiment Royal Highlanders of Canada) in August 1915 but I do not believe that it ever went overseas with them in 1916.

According to a Canadian Master General Of the Ordinance report of January 31, 1915 the following Ross rifles had been sent overseas with the first contingent:

- Mk III - 22,100
- Long Mk II - 2,237 (these were Mk II 2* rifles)
- Short Mk II - 1,400 )these were 3*, 4* and 5* rifles)

The Ross was replaced in 1st Division commmencing in May 1915 and replacement was completed by Jun 13, 1915 according to Canadian Army Director of History Section records.

Notwithstanding British requests to the contrary, 2nd and 3rd Divisions proceeded overseas with Ross rifles, undoubtedly Mk III's which had by then been produced in sufficient quantity to arm all troops proceeding overseas, and were rearmed with the SMLE prior to going into the line in France between July 31 and August 30, 1916 as was the 4th Division of which the 73rd Battalion was a part. The superceded Ross rifles were held by the British for training purposes and none were returned to Canada. 120,000 rifles were turned over to the British authorities.

Your rifle was undoubtedly used by 73rd Battalion as a trainer.

All of the above is backed by detailed research. (See my book Defending the Dominion - Canadian Military Rifles 1855-1955.
__________________
Dave E., Ottawa, Canada

[Cantom]

Dave- To the best of your knowledge, was a Ross Mk II of any mark or description ever fired in anger by a Canadian soldier?
Or used for training only? (I think the answer is no but interested in your reply)

Some time ago I posted a picture of this rifle's butt stock on Gunboards as the CEF (Canadian Expeditionary Force) stamp intrigued me. Here is the response I got which was very informative:

Amatikulu;

The markings on your Ross clearly indicate issue to 73rd Battalion (5th Regiment Royal Highlanders of Canada) in August 1915 but I do not believe that it ever went overseas with them in 1916.

According to a Canadian Master General Of the Ordinance report of January 31, 1915 the following Ross rifles had been sent overseas with the first contingent:

- Mk III - 22,100
- Long Mk II - 2,237 (these were Mk II 2* rifles)
- Short Mk II - 1,400 )these were 3*, 4* and 5* rifles)

The Ross was replaced in 1st Division commmencing in May 1915 and replacement was completed by Jun 13, 1915 according to Canadian Army Director of History Section records.

Notwithstanding British requests to the contrary, 2nd and 3rd Divisions proceeded overseas with Ross rifles, undoubtedly Mk III's which had by then been produced in sufficient quantity to arm all troops proceeding overseas, and were rearmed with the SMLE prior to going into the line in France between July 31 and August 30, 1916 as was the 4th Division of which the 73rd Battalion was a part. The superceded Ross rifles were held by the British for training purposes and none were returned to Canada. 120,000 rifles were turned over to the British authorities.

Your rifle was undoubtedly used by 73rd Battalion as a trainer.

All of the above is backed by detailed research. (See my book Defending the Dominion - Canadian Military Rifles 1855-1955.
__________________
Dave E., Ottawa, Canada

[Arisaka99]

Which presents an interesting question. A review of the markings on my Ross MK II (**?) rifle seem to indicate CEF training use, but the rifle was clearly returned to Canada because it was subsequently sold to the US as one of 20k? Would this be one of the initial 2k that went over with 1st Division or would it have been used by the 3rd Division for training prior to departure from Canada?