I think its a true military ross, but i feel its possibly embellished.
The stampings on the butt, I am suspect of the CEF., and most to the right…the all appear slightly off.
The 6 over 15, not how I have seen marks for a date, also the horizontal marks between the 60and CEF and again below. The aging looks inconsistent. All the ross rifles I have seen with cancelled units are horizontal cancelled. Comments and opinions please.
Let's permanently show it here as it'll disappear after auction.
The description...
"WW 1 era Canadian military rifle chambered for the 303 British cartridge. Straight pull. Features a right side mounted lever for depressing the magazine follower, bolt catch lever on rear left side of receiver, and a lever in the trigger guard that retracts the cartridge stop to allow rapid unloading. Barrel length is 28 inches, with hooded blade front, and adjustable ladder rear sights. Sliding trap door in butt; compartment holds a brass oil bottle. Bore is good condition, a bit frosted & dark with strong rifling. Retains 70% coverage of dark blue turning brown in some places with handling losses. Stock is very good with the usual scratches/dings, light coat of varnish. Right buttstock has Quebec cartouche with Canadian proofs, 1909 date, unit markings, "CEF" (Canadian Expeditionary Force ?). Left receiver rail marked "Ross Rifle Co. Quebec, Canada, 1905". Action is smooth/tight. No import marks observed. Comes with a fair to good condition two hook leather sling, a good condition bayonet with scabbard & fair condition leather frog with waxy white buildup. Condition is NRA Very Good *** C&R Firearm ***"
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
I think it's a correct rifle. The color in the stampings look consistent to my eye, but I am not an expert. I wouldn't have an issue if it were in front of me.
I pulled two pics from the internet; both are CEF marked Ross Mk IIs. One has the horizontal cancellation mark, the other has a combo of horizontal and diagonal.
Last edited by smle addict; 04-24-2023 at 08:02 PM.
Here is mine, located up in Alberta, Canada. I'll eventually pull it from the safe when I have it open and photograph the unit markings on the buttstock in detail. I know the previous owner, who had the rifle since the 1970s. His reputatioin within the Canadian firearms community is legendary, so any shenanigans with the rifle's markings, etc, preceed that timeframe. It is in Excellent condition with a shiny bore that shows no evidence of corrosion.
Ok,
Thank you for input. I had researched lots on the MkII ross with the CEF and official reports stated only the 15th Batt (48th) had taken the MKII to France.
I find it very hard to make a good appraisal of a historic marking, without having the gun in hand.
No question in my mind that the markings on the 60th Batt. rifle are authentic; whether it ever got to France is another question entirely.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
No question in my mind that the markings on the 60th Batt. rifle are authentic; whether it ever got to France is another question entirely.
Have to agree with Surpmil. This interesting thread prompted me to pull my example out of the safe for a comparison of its butt markings. Acquired 25 years ago from the long gone and much missed, Red Star Military Museum & Sales (the same Red Star mentioned in the Milsurps article, "Red Star Remington Model 1903's"), it was the plethora of stampings that I originally found so fascinating. What with the cancelled 60th Batt. CEF, 42nd Batt. CEF, and the uncancelled 8 R R (8th Regiment Royal Rifles?) property marks mixed in amongst them, evidence of a well-traveled history abounds. A trip across the Atlantic certainly remains unconfirmed, but one across Canada's southern border does not. Like the rifle in Olddust's original post, this one also came with its bayonet, scabbard and sling, all marked U.S., as it too was one of the group sold to the U.S. in 1917.
Presumably that was the last Canadian issue before the sale to the USA.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
The first 30,000 Canadians to go overseas were only issued 22,128 MkIII's which had to be augmented by MkII**, MkII 3* and even some MkII 5* so yes, your rifle could be legitimately stamped with CEF. All you need to do is find out which regiments were in the first group to ship overseas. I was thinking S.R.R. could be Soo Rifle Regiment but their battle honours didn't begin until 1917 with Arras and Ypres
PM
Originally Posted by Surpmil
