Where has my new Ross Mk III been (or not been)

[RangeRover]

First off, thanks to Bill in Chicago for being willing to let this Mk III go, and allowing me to bring it home to Canada.



After six months of waiting for export paperwork to clear, it arrived this week, and I stuck an OHG-marked leather sling and front sight hood (thanks Wheaty) onto it right away.

So now I'm curious about the rifle's history. I've extrapolated some points based on things stated in the Ross Rifle Story, but some questions remain. Here's what I know, or at least think I know. Pardon the long post.

S/N 93KT/1916 was made between February and June 30, 1916. I base this on fact that it has a forged upper band and the stock appears to be red birch, while the butt trap is only 7.5" deep (TRRS states that was changed to 8" after June 30). Has the earlier, smaller bolthead stop.

The side of the buttstock is devoid of all marking except the Ross roundel and the s/n cluster. The only other markings on the wood are seen in the photo. The "781" over "Z" are stamped into the underside of the wrist, just below what i take to be inspection/view marks.



I have heard of one other rifle with the same markings, though the "781" is a different three-digit number beginning with "7" on that rifle. I've reached out to the owner of that rifle to try to find out more. Any others out there?

The metalwork has only the DCP proofs and the Ross patented stamps. No British proofs and only a very small "E" which would seem to indicate it has the enlarged chamber.



The rifle currently sports an un-pinned bolt. The bolt is marked "CRB 2883"



The absence of any other CRB markings on the rifle leads me to believe this bolt is not original, but I stand to be corrected by others who have seen more CRB rifles than I have.

So...in the absence of official records, I'm hoping someone might have some thoughts about where and how this rifle was used. It doesn't look like it left Canada while in service, and perhaps only went into war reserve until sold out of service, unless we can figure out what the "781" over "Z" represents.

Any and all information or guesses welcomed.

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