Ross 1905 MK ll

[eliwhitley]

Did the Ross rifle model 1905 MK ll ever see combat action?

[Surpmil]

Not officially.

[NORTHOF60]

Examples have been found marked CEF (Canadian Expeditionary Force), but no indication of actual field service.

[eliwhitley]

Yes I have not read anywhere where they were used in action.

[Surpmil]

As mentioned previously, there is a MkII in a museum in Calgary that had a Winchester A5 scope fitted at some point. The provenance given is that it was used by Henry Norwest in France; it certainly looks well worn.

From the extant photos of rifle teams of the period, the Ross MkII was practically the standard target rifle in Canada before WWI, and target shooting was a widespread and popular sport. The MkII was a rifle with a proven track record, the MkIII was not. It would not be surprising if some men brought their own rifles to France.

[eliwhitley]

My Rifle is marked 31 BN CEF. Does that mean 31 battalion?

[NORTHOF60]

Can you post a picture of the stock markings? Stock marked serial numbers on the 1905 Ross MK II were alpha-numerical.

[Surpmil]

My Rifle is marked 31 BN CEF. Does that mean 31 battalion?

Most likely. The rifles were used for training in Canada before being sold to the USA later in the war..

[Warren]

I have a relic 1905 Mk.11 bayonet that was dug at Courcellete
Apparently the Loyal Edmonton Regiment and the Canadian Mounted Rifles had them for a while.
I check my notes and see if I can put the dates on it.

[eliwhitley]

Yahoo
Picture
I tried to copy the picture. Try this link.