Canadian M-10 Mk. III Ross .303 British 30” Bolt Action Rifle, MFD 1916 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,280.00
LSB#: LSB260518JV004
Make: Ross Rifle Co., Canada
Model: M-10 Mk. III
Serial Number: 1017
Year of Manufacture: 1916 / C&R
Caliber: .303 British
Action Type: Straight pull bolt action, 5 round internal magazine
Markings: The top of the receiver is marked, “ROSS RIFLE CO. M-10 PATENTED” The safety is marked, “READY / SAFE”. The bottom metal is marked, “1017”. There are various proofs throughout. The serialized parts are not matched.
Barrel Length: 30”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade set on a barrel mounted base with a protective hood. The rear sight is a flip up U-notch / aperture with fine adjustment.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a two piece walnut set with a capped forend/bayonet lug w/ parade sling loop, barrel band w/ sling loop, through bolt, semi-pistol grip, curved comb, and steel buttplate with a brass door. There are light pressure dents and scratches throughout. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good + overall condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is light erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 7.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 20% of its metal finish. There are moderate spots of thinning and heavy patina throughout. There are scratches and nicks throughout. The action has light wear. The screw heads are mostly sharp. The markings are worn and blurry in spots. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Canadian Ross M-10 Mk. III was the final major military development of Sir Charles Ross’s distinctive straight-pull rifle system and served as the primary rifle of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the opening years of the First World War. The Mk. III combined a fast straight-pull bolt, five-round charger-fed internal magazine, long barrel, and sophisticated aperture sighting system in a rifle noted for excellent accuracy. Its close tolerances and operating system proved less suited to the mud, fouling, and ammunition variability of trench warfare, however, and Canadian frontline units transitioned to the Lee-Enfield during 1916. This 1916-production example therefore dates from the final period of major wartime Ross service and represents an important chapter in Canadian military arms development.
This rifle is in about Good condition overall as refinished, retaining approximately 20% of its remaining blued metal finish. The metal surfaces exhibit moderate thinning, heavy patina, scratches, nicks, and light operational wear, while the screw heads remain mostly sharp and portions of the markings are worn or indistinct. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and light erosion, rating 7.5/10 in this writer’s opinion. The refinished walnut stock shows light pressure dents and scratches but remains free of chips and cracks, rating in Very Good Plus condition. Although the serialized components are not fully matching, the rifle retains its full military configuration, original sighting arrangement, functional straight-pull action, and strong bore, giving it solid appeal to collectors of Canadian and First World War military rifles. -R.E.