Ross sbarrel thread?

[buffdog]

What you have here is a very early 1905 Ross Military Mark II rifle. The serial number is 610 over 1907 X. It has been upgraded to 3* specifications.

Ross serial numbers started with the numbers 1 to 999 over the year and the letter A. At rifle 1000, they began again at the number 1 over the year, and the letter B. This continued for another 999 rifles and then changed to the letter C, etc. and continued on to X,Y,Z. When it got to 999 / 1907 Z, the sequence changed to TWO letters, those being AB to AZ, then BC to BZ , etc. and continuing along when the sequenced changed to CA to CZ, then DA to DZ and so on.

Commercial Factory Ross Sporting Rifles had a serial nunber stamped on the left side of the barrel, in very small (1/8 inch) numbers. In some cases, the end of the butt stock and the inside of the Butt plate was also stamped with the commercial serial numbers.

Your rifle originally had a threaded type of firing pin and sear/cocking piece. One of the upgrades was to replace this with a firing pin and sear/cocking piece that could be disassembled more easily. This unit had a small cross pin that held them together.

There were over 70 modifications to the Mark II, most of them minor or cosmetic. Only the major upgrades were marked and designated with the * designation. These ususally included a major sight change or something similar. As far as we can determine, all the U.S. purchased rifles were Mark II *** rifles.

[Grump09]

Thanks so much Buffdog for taking the time to explain the markings. 4.12 , S.75 and 64 must have meant somthing where it went. I may have read where a triangular extractor may be an upgrade It appears to look that way to me. Meant to send a full pic but didn't go with the other 3
The chamber neck was so damaged for some reason that we lengthend the whole chamber. I was running out of case length so used 444 marlin cases. Wasn"t real pleased with their length so I found 9.3x74R would do the trick. The barrel would not have been useable otherwise. I'm really surprised no one has come up with a way to reproduce this barel thread.

[buffdog]

The 4.12 should be a date of issue. The bottom number--64---is the rack number of the rifle for the unit. The curious number is the S 75.

The letter S was used for the Saskatchewan University Canadian Officers Training Corps, and also by the Canadian Ordinance Depot at Camp Sussex.

The 20,000 1905 Ross Rifles were originated by the Adjutant General of New York State in 1917. However, Washington exercised it's Federal perogative and took over the sale. The rifles were shipped in November, 1917.

New York State received 10,000 of them, at cost. 5000 were sent to Camp Sherman, Ohio, and 5000 were sent to Camp Devens, Mass.

[Grump09]

Thanks again for taking the mystery out of these numbers. I'll be sure to print off this info and keep it for further reference. The barrel is coming off and going to a smith to have the neck opened to .303 specs. It should keep the pressure in check and improve case life.

[Grump09]

I also found while removeing the stock that barrel and receiver have the same number. I had forgotten this.

[Grump09]

1905 Ross
Left the Ross Hienz 57 barrel with the smith today. Ordered a neck reamer to make same uniforn. Have more 9.3 x74R cases coming also. New neck should make a big difference in case life.He expressed a lot of interest in the barrel thread and may look into it. No one seems to be doing it right?

[Grump09]

How well do these 1905's handle a ruptured case? While fire forming cases I sometimes get a little too much back. Perhaps I should increase the charge a couple grains.

[Grump09]

How well do these 1905 actions handle a ruptured case?

[buffdog]

A lot of people try to fireform cases by using a lighter load. These light loads do not allow the brass to seal the chamber long enough for the bullet to exit the muzzle, and some gas escapes to the rear. A tell tale sign is blackened or sooty cases, especially in the neck and shoulder areas.

You might try about an 80% load of 4895, for the appropriate bullet weight. It is a medium burning powder, and has a reputation for being versatile in loadings.

You will probably notice that shooters with "improved" chambers can easily fire full power loads and they will blow out to fill the chamber, thus providing Improved brass.
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