Picked up a decent MkIII

[Claven2]

No CEF issue markings I can find, so I'm assuming it either never left Canada or was given early in its life to another country (UK?). I also has no RN or RNLI markings I can find. Not a home guard rifle either. No UK export markings. Lots of case hardening left on the bolt, some finish wear on the bottom metal, bands, and receiver high points. A few dings and dents in the wood. It was definitely issued, but not heavily used.

Front sight hood screws are mercifully not buggered up, but it does have the E chamber.

60KO, 1916 mfgr.

Bore is as-new, which is a pleasant surprise. Happy to have gotten this one

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[RangeRover]

Very nice indeed. Great score. Where did you find it?

Two data points hardly mark a trend, but it would appear that Mk IIIs from that production period were well kept. Here's a picture of mine - 93 KT 1916. This one wound up in the States somehow, and I repatriated it a couple of years ago. A little more banged up than yours externally, but the bore, like yours, is great.

[Claven2]

Not a great story really, it walked into a local gun store.

Is yours unit marked?

[browningautorifle]

Nice looking Ross though...they're sure getting scarce.

[Claven2]

Yes, and expensive. A few years ago, I could find HMCS CANADA Rosses here in Canada in the $500-800 range all day long. Now, you can't find any original MkIII that's complete and in shootable condition for under $1200 it seems. Often for much more.

There is a IIIB at P&S right now for just under $1400 that looks nice. The IIIB should, I think, be a rarer rifle than a plain MkIII.

[RangeRover]

Not a great story really, it walked into a local gun store.

Is yours unit marked?

I'm assuming you didn't actually grab it out of the hands of the person bringing it into the gun store. Or did you?

My 1916 Ross has no regimental markings at all, which is the one disappointment with the rifle. Happy as I am to have scored a full wood Ross, I do still lust after an earlier one with signs that it went to Europe with the CEF. The search continues.

And you're absolutely right about prices for original Ross rifles. People seem to have caught on to them. Fewer and fewer lying on tables at gun shows or in shops, and those that are around are going for real money. There was a Home Guard Mk III listed recently here in Canada for, I think, $1500. I don't think it lasted a day. It looked very nice, and another rare sub-type.

[Claven2]

No, I do some piece work for a gun shop and sometimes they set aside stuff they know I'm looking for instead of immediately offering for public sale. I have pretty specific tastes, so it's not often I actually buy, but still the sentiment is nice and sometimes gems like this follow me home.

I'd like to find a really nice regimentally marked MkII without US properly ownership marks, but the chances of ever getting such a piece are pretty remote.

[flying pig]

But it could happen Claven! Nice rifle by the way.

[RangeRover]

I'd like to find a really nice regimentally marked MkII without US properly ownership marks, but the chances of ever getting such a piece are pretty remote.

Agree with flying pig - it could happen. And don't discount a search south of the border. My Mk II 5* also came out of the States - lots of Canadian regimental stamps on it, but no US surcharge markings. Import costs are a factor of course. Good luck with the search.

[Ballsofice154]

Excellent find Claven, I wish I had the same luck but for a MK II with markings to the Manitoba Rangers or 45th Bn CEF.