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Thread: Looking for a Ross...which one to get?

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  1. #11
    Advisory Panel tiriaq's Avatar
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    Brit. proof marks? I would suspect that it was commercially sported in Englandicon. Note absence of markings on the right side of the thoroughly refinished stock.

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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    yes that is an excellent point. With Britishicon proofs it would not likely be one of the Canadianicon WWII rifles although it may appear the same. Canadian WWII ones would not have british proofs and be more likely to have CRB or PRY. I didn't notice that originally, I agree Joe is likely wrong on this one. As for the scrubbed stock I wouldn't hang my hat on that either way as I would actually be more surprised if an armoury would leave those on in a FTR come WWII of a WWI rifle.
    Last edited by Gary D; 12-04-2017 at 06:29 PM.

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    Advisory Panel tiriaq's Avatar
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    I remember Joe selling an as issued Mk. III rifle. Looong write-up of the history of the rifle, as recorded on the right side of the butt. But the stock had the half moon cuts in front of the breech where the Indian deact pin had been welded in place. The barrelled action was intact, however. Most likely a sported rifle restocked with a stock salvaged from one of the Indian drill rifles. Price didn't reflect it though.

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    Joe has a lot of really nice stuff from time to time, but really you do need to know what you are looking at. You can easily pay a ton for improperly described items.

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    Former Britishicon Navy rifle that was sportered by the British gun trade.

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    Legacy Member Gustro79's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gary D View Post
    Sorry for jumping in here late, but I am assuming you are still in search of your Ross or you have robbed a bank after finding a seller. Well here is some additional hope for you. One of the most forgotten Ross configurations is probably the most common and the least expensive, frequently being offered up for under $500. Why? because it is typically mistaken for a sporterized rifle, where in fact is is a WWII Canadianicon arsenal modification. As detailed in the Ross Rifle Story, Many of the surpluss stored Ross mkIII rifles were shortened to 24.75 inches adn the forearm shortened to just beyond the mid band eliminating the nose cap and bayonet lug. These were issued apparently for Canadian Home guard duty primarily and not of the better documented Britishicon Home Guard rifles. So as a WWII arsenal modification they are still very much military configuration rifles suitable for any milsurp competition. And you will save enough $$ to buy a copy of the Ross Rifle Story to take with you to support your claim at the shoot should someone object. here is a good example:

    Ross 1910 Modified WW2 Guard Gun
    Thanks for the heads up on that variant...I will look twice at every "sporterized" MkIII that I see.
    Since my last post I have purchased two Ross rifles that I have not yet received. No banks were robbed. Both were relatively affordable but had limited descriptions and below average pics and may or may not prove to be decent examples. One is the typical US MKII and the other is a MKIII that was missing parts. I have found the big parts and now need some screws.
    I will post pictures when I get these in my hands and determine if I did OK or not. Thank you to all for your help!

  9. #17
    Legacy Member Gustro79's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tiriaq View Post
    Mk. II** rifles were issued, with various sights. Privately purchased rifles were essentially the same rifles, minus issue stampings. I think that units trained and drilled with II*, II***, II**** and II***** rifles, reserving the II** for the ranges. The Ross .280 Match rifles are entirely different, they weren't service. II** rifles were fired in military competitions in Canadaicon and Englandicon, both issue and privately owned. The not a service rifle complaint was about fitting a bayonet. The Minister of Militia and Defence stated that the rifle was indeed a service rifle, and that was the end of it. Some II** came equipped with aperture sights, others were retrofitted. The BSA Martin sight on my II** rifle was the original and only sight installed. There is a saying that Sir Charles Ross never made the same rifle twice. A bit of an exaggeration, but there is some truth to it; there are a myriad of variations. You might want to discuss status with the CMPicon, in case a rifle presents itself. Their matches, their rules. You wouldn't want to spend a lot of money on a rifle then find out it didn't qualify.
    A II*** would be fun to take to the matches. Some issue sights (barrel mounted) had only notches, others had an aperture as well - like a M1903. Use the aperture for target shooting. Mk. II rifles were issued with a number of rear sights. There was never a single standard.
    Incidentally, II** rifles are tightly chambered. If a cartridge is fired in a Lee Enfield, and then full length sized, it will not chamber in a II** Ross. I had to make a die to reduce the diameter back toward the head.
    So I have the 1910...it is pretty great. Better than I thought it would be. I really can't wait to shoot this but I will need to get it together first. It was missing the magazine, floor plate and butt plate but I acquired those. It has seen some light sandpaper but the cartouches are still very visible. Great bore.
    As mentioned, I have the big parts but need 6 screws and a rear sling swivel. I need the following screws: action screws, butt plate screws, front band screw and rear sling screw. Any help with those parts or info on this rifle would be appreciated. Thank you!
    Last edited by Gustro79; 12-08-2017 at 09:31 PM.

  10. #18
    Legacy Member Gustro79's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tiriaq View Post
    Elusive, yes.
    A MkII** would be ideal. Mine shoots like a house on fire.
    Barring that, most any Ross in sound condition with a fine bore.
    All Mk. III rifles will have an aperture sight. If you can find one, a Mk. III Home Guard rifle would be excellent. These are generally in better condition than service Mk. III rifles, and will have the small rear sight aperture.
    Some Mk. II service rifles have aperture sights; others have only notch sights.
    Good luck, though, finding a Ross with a crisp bore at a price that won't bring tears to your eyes.
    The Ross most commonly seen in the US is the Mk. II***, as supplied to the US as training rifles.
    Even here is Canadaicon, clean unaltered service rifles are not often seen.
    You might consider a rifle that has been sported, with the fore stock cut beyond the band. These can be restored with the splice hidden by the band. In this condition, the selling price is a small fraction of the price of an unaltered one. Perhaps 1/5th.
    Small aperture sight: So I did some reading and if they only made 1000 Home Guard rifles I believe the odds of finding one of those is highly unlikely. I would however like a small rear aperture sight. If there is one initial "negative" on this issue MKIII it is that the rear aperture sight is quite large compared to a Kragicon or a 1903. Good for a battle sight though.
    Is the small aperture interchangeable with the issued MKIII and are those ever seen for sale? Thanks!!

  11. #19
    Advisory Panel tiriaq's Avatar
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    Early Mk. IIIs HG and issue had the small aperture. These were discontinued, and the larger size was standardized; earlier issue rifles were altered. Not much chance of finding one.

  12. #20
    Legacy Member Gustro79's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tiriaq View Post
    Early Mk. IIIs HG and issue had the small aperture. These were discontinued, and the larger size was standardized; earlier issue rifles were altered. Not much chance of finding one.
    Just got the 1905 Ross. It is also great. Excellent bore. There is a handguard crack but it is a very simple glue and clamp job. Appears to have seen little use based on the bolt. Has a few extra weird features that the 1910 doesn't have. I am suprised that the 1905 is shorter and much lighter than the monstrous 1910. Random thing... the 1910 is longer than my already long Swede M96 and the 1905 is shorter.(Pic)
    As far as match shooting goes, the 1905 has a few apparent practical advantages. First, the aperture is smaller or appears so as it is barrel mounted. The 1910 bolt may force you to break position more during rapid fire as the bolt reaches farther back during extraction and may hit your face if you don't move. The 1905 bolt stops shorter.

    I will do some bench and practical shooting from the positions. The first impression is that the 1905 may be a better high-power rifle and the 1910 would be a much better bench rifle IF the aperture were smaller.

    Last edited by Gustro79; 12-09-2017 at 07:04 PM.

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