New member introductions thread ......

[KiwiKeith]

Hi there. My collecting interest is classic sporting firearms, preferably with a New Zealand connection. Of course, I'm a typical collector, I want firearms with lots of history but in fine condition...It occurred to me recently that every sporting centrefire rifle I possess began life as a military action made up into a sporter by the relevant factory, whether it be Mauser, Steyr, Remington, B.S.A., Webley, etc.
One of my interests is in Ross rifles. This was mainly sparked by my great grandfather (Neil Ross) telling my mother that he was a cousin of Sir Charles. Whether he was a second cousin or 42nd cousin I don't know, unfortunately. I have a couple of very nice sporters, a 1905E and an M-10, with the hope of getting a nice 1905R next year.
The rifle I am buying at the moment from an elderly collector (just because he is old doesn't mean I'm getting it cheap!), is a Mark III military rifle. Although there was a small amount of use by the New Zealand military of the Ross, restricted I believe to the Royal New Zealand Navy, about a third of the examples owned by collectors in NZ have come from the Chilean Navy, via ex-HMS Canada - as is the one I am buying. It has its matching bayonet, both with a DA56 serial. I actually haven't seen it in the flesh yet but the rifles I have bought from the same collector have always turned out to be described accurately.
The reason why I am confident in predicting the PROPORTION of Chilean rifles here is because I have kept every NZ Antique Arms, and Militaria auction catalogue since 1981 and they are a mine of information. For instance, I see that that over that time 18 military Ross rifles have been sold through those auctions - some more than once. There was only one Mark II which sold in 2002 for $NZ 2,200 - serious money! The other 17 have been Mark III's ranging from Indian DP's to a Canadian (I presume) Home Guard rifle. The Latter went for $NZ 3,200 - it must have been a good one. I think I read on your site that the HG rifles are often in top condition.
I am going to have to wait until Christmas before I pick the Mark III up so I will post photos then of the stock and metal markings and ask you guys (and maybe gals?) for comment. At the moment I don't know whether it has the desirable "CEF" stamp. I presume that even though it has a low "DA" serial, it won't necessarily be an early Mark III because the Chilean Navy would have stamped the rifles randomly.
I presume that I click on the "attachment" icon to post pictures?

[linc1fl]

Hi everyone, Have been a member here for a few years but have never posted before. Have always been into firearms of all kinds and was a ffl holder until 03. Look forward to being a member of the group. Jerry

[canoecanoe]

Hi. New to the forum. Primarily interested in the M1 carbine.

[Outpost75]

Old buddy recommended this site, so I joined up.

Not as much a collector as a gatherer and tinkerer.

20+ years experience in firearms industry in ammunition testing and firearms manufacture.

Later as consultant to law enforcement and military in RDT&E projects.

Still later spent 24 years as an engineer in public works, infrastructure protection, plans, emergency protective measures, learned more than I wanted to about floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.

The fun part was working as a safety officer and trainer with Citizens Corps post 9/11 and meeting great people who didn't want to be victims or sheep and wanted to be a Citizen Sheepdog First Class!

Now I'm retired out in the country and loving life.

[Lucas Delanchy]

Hi all I have a No.4 Mk1* for sale but before so i'm in need of some help.
My No.4 is a Long Branch 1942 Dated. The help I seek is information about the stock marking on it. It appears to be a sequence of letters and numbers located on the LH side of the stock. Photo provided. Admin feel free to relocate or delete post if inappropriate

Attachment 84313 Attachment 84314

Regards,
Lucas.

[chuckerb]

Hi to all, I am tryig to find out as to what this rifle is and what it is worth, it has a weird sight setup on it to look threw like a peep sight.I have lots of pics of it that I will try to down load and hope some one can tell me what it is, sniper rifle or target rifle really want to no as I am selling it . Charles B.

[Lucas Delanchy]

Hi to all, looking for answeres about a old rifle.thanks in advance to all can help me. Charles B.

It's a Parker Hale 5a sight. There are many variations but this one is worth at least £90 in that condition and the rifle £400 depending on condition and model of the SMLE. I had a friend who sold the same sight for £120 and a mint mk3 SMLE for £445. This sporterised one I feel is worth £200. As a registered RFD we don't see these very often. Perhaps due to rareness or because they're unsaleable.

Hope this helps,
Lucas.

[Red Devel]

HI this is reddevel a new member I have found the first item on my bucket list its a M1 S.A.Garand 6 digits Aug 1942 Ser# 798050 it saw service in WW11 and korea I have had local Gunsmith put it back in firing order and cant wait to get to our local range and put a few clips through it . Barrel markings are D6535448 (F) 4-56 -AY-PM it Has a bright chamber not parkerized with reimport markings from Korea ARL ORD Arlington Va lightly struck even my local gunsmith could not tell for sure who made the barrel any ideas ? Thanks

[Laurel Mountain]

Hello, I own Laurel Mountain Sportsman's Club, east of Pittsburgh. I work on BAR's, M1 Garand's, M14's, and 1911's. I really love the 1909 Argentine Mauser.

[Ben Grun]

Main interest WW11 RAF.
But been interested in Militaria ww1/ww11 for many years.
Oh yes, just got a Deac Bren.