Ross Rifle Restoration Questions

[Sentryduty]

Over the past few years I have been trying to source a shootable Ross rifle in military configuration to fill that slot of Canadian First World War history I have been missing.

There are a number of collector grade rifles but the price point is a hold back for a rifle that I want to do plinking and demonstration shooting with. I will commonly offer a few shots of a rifle to anyone I encounter on a range to share the experience, it helps build interest in the sport and foster appreciation for history.

Back to the topic at hand, basically I have been searching an example of a representative Ross rifle, full length, without paying a mint.

During this time I frequently encountered a large number of non-factory sporter Ross rifles, generally they are of a common line, either cut back barrels, or shot-out, cut back barrels. However the asking price of these rifles is low enough, that is makes the prospect of a restoration somewhat attractive. This is how I got my Canadian marked No.1 Mk.III for example, a full rifle with only cut back furniture.

Now I have a good idea about Lee-Enfield rifles, in a general sense, but I am out of my element when it comes to the Ross, so I am here with some questions.

1. Replacement Barrels: Do they exist? Nearly every ex-military sporter I encounter has the barrel cut back to 24-26" are there any original (30.5"?) or replacements available?

1. a) If there is a replacement barrel obtained, is the installation something a that could be done in a home shop with appropriate hand tools, or does proper fitting require machinist work?

2. If anyone has done this job before can you share your experiences/recommendations?

3. If anyone knows of a original, full furniture military Ross rifle for sale in Canada at a +/- $1000 price point please let me know. I am not in a hurry, nor am I after a specific Mark or model, but after 5 years of passively looking I thought I might bump the priority a little higher in my search by actually asking around.

Information

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[Eaglelord17]

1. Replacement Barrels: Do they exist? Nearly every ex-military sporter I encounter has the barrel cut back to 24-26" are there any original (30.5"?) or replacements available?

1. a) If there is a replacement barrel obtained, is the installation something a that could be done in a home shop with appropriate hand tools, or does proper fitting require machinist work?

Replacement barrels are next to non-existant (basically have gone extinct, it would be somewhat like trying to find a nos P14 barrel or Henry Martini barrel), if there was some kicking around somewhere it would likely cost much more than would make it economically worth while. The biggest issue is the weird thread pitch on the Ross Barrels. I believe (someone correct me if I am wrong) it is 3tpi, which most lathes won't do. It is also why they are usually shot out, people use them as shooters (because they do shoot fantastically) but once the barrels done you pretty much can't replace it (at least not at a reasonable price).

2. If anyone has done this job before can you share your experiences/recommendations?

The reproduction furniture can be found, flying pig (on here and on CGN) makes excellent reproduction stocks and will hand fit them. That being said they are pricy and will likely take a while to make as I believe he has a pretty fair sized order list at the moment. In terms of the nose caps, originals are next to non-existant, and there have been places talking about reproductions however I haven't heard of one being successfully made yet. The nose cap provided your barrel is full length, will be where you run into the most issues.

3. If anyone knows of a original, full furniture military Ross rifle for sale in Canada at a +/- $1000 price point please let me know. I am not in a hurry, nor am I after a specific Mark or model, but after 5 years of passively looking I thought I might bump the priority a little higher in my search by actually asking around.

I will say good luck, most people are searching for the same thing. My recommendation would be to try gun shows or asking around, sometimes someone doesn't know what they have or are willing to do a deal for a buddy.

Doing a restoration on a Ross, will likely set you back as far as just buying one in original configuration in the first place. Ross Sporters are going up in price (especially ones with uncut barrels) thanks to the efforts of people like flying pig.

Another option might be to try to import one from the States, but with the dollar the way it is at the moment, you likely won't see any savings. Hope this helps.

[oldpaul]

Eaglelord nailed it, I would only add that the MkII had the 3 tpi left hand barrel thread and the MkIII had a 12 tpi square thread (from an earlier thread on this forum). In any case, a difficult job for the inexperienced or non-professional. Best. Tom

[Sentryduty]

Thanks for the info gents, I was fairly certain that would be the case.

I knew stocks were being built with the use of a duplicator, and was pretty sure barrels were still the hold back on sporter restoration projects, but I did just want to check as I can't say I have been tracking the Ross parts situation all that closely.

The situation does make me consider getting one of these bobbed barrel rifles and putting a modified "full length" style fore-end on it as a personal shooter/stopgap. I hate the term but kind of like the false "tanker" builds that have been done with LE rifles in the same situation. It does make an "ethical" quandary for me, it would fill the shooter role, and be somewhat affordable but would not be a true military Ross, and I would hate to be the genesis of a cottage industry in faking "rare" Ross M10 Tanker Carbines as issued to Canadian Crews of British mark I & II tanks during the First World War. There is enough fakery and fraud with stuff that already exists to create another niche.

I will have to keep looking and thinking this over.

[mr.e moose]

My take on it is just make the best of what you have. Ross parts are out there but are expensive and hard to find. I have heard of of 2 people that can cut the Ross 3 tpi thread. My latest project is to take a slightly mutilated and bobbed M-10 and mount it in a thumbhole stock and mount some good glass.

[M94/14]

Over the past few years I have been trying to source a shootable Ross rifle in military configuration to fill that slot of Canadian First World War history I have been missing.

There are a number of collector grade rifles but the price point is a hold back for a rifle that I want to do plinking and demonstration shooting with. I will commonly offer a few shots of a rifle to anyone I encounter on a range to share the experience, it helps build interest in the sport and foster appreciation for history.

Back to the topic at hand, basically I have been searching an example of a representative Ross rifle, full length, without paying a mint.

During this time I frequently encountered a large number of non-factory sporter Ross rifles, generally they are of a common line, either cut back barrels, or shot-out, cut back barrels. However the asking price of these rifles is low enough, that is makes the prospect of a restoration somewhat attractive. This is how I got my Canadian marked No.1 Mk.III for example, a full rifle with only cut back furniture.

Now I have a good idea about Lee-Enfield rifles, in a general sense, but I am out of my element when it comes to the Ross, so I am here with some questions.

1. Replacement Barrels: Do they exist? Nearly every ex-military sporter I encounter has the barrel cut back to 24-26" are there any original (30.5"?) or replacements available?

1. a) If there is a replacement barrel obtained, is the installation something a that could be done in a home shop with appropriate hand tools, or does proper fitting require machinist work?

2. If anyone has done this job before can you share your experiences/recommendations?

3. If anyone knows of a original, full furniture military Ross rifle for sale in Canada at a +/- $1000 price point please let me know. I am not in a hurry, nor am I after a specific Mark or model, but after 5 years of passively looking I thought I might bump the priority a little higher in my search by actually asking around.

Even collectable Ross Rifles can be fired with little to no appreciable outward wear. Consider that in today's market, rarely do you run across an example of any Ross that is 80% or better condition, and even 80% is a stretch now.

As for your self imposed price limit...they can be found in your price range, but invariably they will not be much above NRA Good condition at best, and even those are starting to climb in price due to an increasing popularity in Ross'.

My recommendation would be to wait for the next Firearms Auction at Ward's Auction in Edmonton. Check out the Ward's website for the date of the next Auction and check periodically the online list of firearms as they get consigned. Almost every Auction seems to have a couple of Ross rifles, and viewing takes place the Friday before the Auction, or the morning of the Auction.
The only other Suggestion would be to attend as many Gun Shows in the province as you are able. Quite often there are Ross' for sale at these shows, and I even found a nice factory Sporter at one awhile back at a really good price!

[martins8589]

TSE Engineering in Australia make MKIII repro barells. I had one made and it shot MOA.
http://www.tsengineering.com.au/

[flying pig]

Nose caps have been reproduced in plastic now. Steel ones are coming. Yes, I've been quite busy, but unfortunately it's been with working away from home for long periods of time. The stock orders are backed up, but I hope to blast through them with regularity this spring when I go back to trade school for a few months.

[altadiver]

I knew stocks were being built with the use of a duplicator, and was pretty sure barrels were still the hold back on sporter restoration projects, but I did just want to check as I can't say I have been tracking the Ross parts situation all that closely.

Stocks are also available from Alberta Gun Stocks. Front bands and sight hoods I can supply those. Both are reproduction. The nose caps are produced by cnc, sight hoods are produced by hand.

Now with a barrel!! That should be coming soon. For both 1905 and 1910.

[Sentryduty]

This is a very good bit of news, especially the bit about the barrels. I have a sporter that is a good action but the barrel is a cut down, worn-out sewer-pipe.

I will share a video in the future of the bore condition, to look down it it looks okay, rifling pitted but present, however slugging the bore revealed it was done for.

I had been considering what to do with it next, breaking it for parts was my first thought, but since there may be barrels on the horizon, I will keep it around for a while longer.

If parts became available, I would certainly do a full restoration.