ROSS 1905 Sporter project

[betamax]

Members,

I am starting a winter project to clean up my old ROSS 1905 Sporter. Has all the parts. Barrel clean, not shot much. Stock was rough and could stand a new finish. No markings on stock to indicate military use. Has pop-up rear site. Doing some research right now. I will have to ask for advice! Any one knowledgeable inthis area? Reassembly as well as finishing. Possibly reblue the butt plate. Any comments or help would be appreciated. Will attach pictures next.

Information

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[betamax]

Pictures of my ROSS 1905 Sporter.

[smellie]

Just looks like light surface rust on most parts; it should respond well to DRY FINE or EXTRA-FINE steel wool, followed immediately by wiping with a good oil to prevent further damage.

Your trigger appears unusual, as if it were the late-model roller trigger retrofitted; I haven't seen this before.

Have you tried looking for stock markings with a 'black light' (ultraviolet)? Sometimes pretty amazing what they can show.

A proper commercial sporter would have a serial number on the left side of the chamber, small numbers no more than 1/8 of an inch high. Does your rifle have these?

What markings are on your rear-sight leaf? There were several different sights from the factory, as well as others applied by target shooters, etc., e.g. Alex Martin, Glasgow; A.G. Parker and others. Most were Sutherland or Canada Tool and Specialty (same plant) in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.

Nice piece, though. Glad she's getting some TLC. Be sure to keep us posted.

Have fun!

[betamax]

Smellie,
Thank you for the reply. I did find the markings on the sight you mentioned. "Canada Tool and Specialty co. LTD. New Glasgow N.S. ". I also found SYMBOLS on the barrel.(Not letter). It has the queens crown plus a crossed flag. I went over the stock at the end of the bolt especially and cound not find any marking. (Under high power magnifying lens). There were no serial numbers. What does this imply? I also searched when I had it a part.

Thanks for the suggestion on steal wool. Should I consider trying to take it to the next step and reblue the butt plate? (Not the barel) or just clean it up and leave it?

[betamax]

Update:
Purchased linseed oil and 0000 steal wool.
Finish is off and down to raw wood.
Starting to clean up with the steal wool.

[Surpmil]

Rifle is ex-military sporterized, the little wedge of wood below the backsight is the give-away, used to fill the gap left by the handguard. The wood has been very heavily sanded judging by the proud trigger guard and flooplate, crossbolt etc. You can't do any harm refinishing it now.

The safety catch "button" has been lost, but you could get another or weld up that screw and hand chequer it.

If the bore is excellent and the barrel uncut, it might be worth restocking, but if not, have at 'er and make whatever you like out of it is my advice.

[betamax]

Thank you for the advice,

Actually I have the buttton. Was not installed during pictures.
I have completed the stock and it looks GREAT! It already is in better shape than it has inthe last 50 years.
0000 steal wool and linsead oil . Very nice.

My next step is to slowly experiment with bluing the but plate.
Educate and I can not do harm.
Purchased a kit yesterday. I have homework for this weekend.

I will send pictures as it goes.

Thank you for the friendship.

[buffdog]

The symbols on the barrel are proof marks. The crossed flags should have DCP at the intersection of the staffs......Dominion of Canada Proof. There is probably another crown with a number below it....this is an inspector's number.

The Canada Tool rear sight is one of the better ones for shooting.

.

[betamax]

Some pictures.

The stock loks great. Feels great and smooth.
Bluing is going real well. All parts look like new.

[betamax]

More picturtes.