Canadian Ross Rifle MkII 1905 .303 British Straight Pull Bolt Bayonet C&R

SOLD FOR: $1651

LSB#:210918MW39

Make: Ross Rifle Company, Canada

Model: MkII or 1905.

Serial Number: None

Year of Manufacture: 1905 – 1910

Caliber: .303 British

Action Type: Straight Pull Bolt Action, Internal Magazine

Markings: There is no visible import mark. The left side of the receiver is marked “ROSS RIFLE CO. QUEBEC. CANADA. 1905 / PATENTED”. The bolt head is marked “264”. The bottom of the bolt handle is marked “6448”. The rear of the bolt handle is marked with “crossed flags” and a “crowned letter”. The bottom of the grip is marked “flaming bomb / U.S. / 18683”. The right side of the butt is marked with several “crossed out” markings. It is also marked with a Canadian roundel that contains “crown / QUEBEC”, “3 star / II.”, and “37/1908 AJ”. The right side of the stock is marked “SEC.2 / 1191”. There are a few other small markings on the rifle.
The bayonet grip is marked with several stampings including “ROSS RIFLE CO. / QUEBEC / PATENTED 1907” and “flaming bomb / U.S.”. The scabbard is marked “flaming bomb / U.S.” and “CLAPPISON”.

Barrel Length: Approximately 28 Inches

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bladed post set atop a raised base and under a protective hood. The rear sight is a “U” notched blade when down. When flipped up it becomes a sight ladder that uses a sliding “U” notched blade that also contains an aperture. The ladder is marked from “1 -22” on the right and from “0-320” in increments of 20 on the left.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The hardwood stock has a pistol grip, 2 through bolts, nosecap with bayonet lug, stacking loop, barrel band, sling loop under the butt and a metal buttplate with sliding door for storage. The buttplate shows surface erosion and scratches. The stock hardware shows scrapes and oxidation. The stock shows numerous scrapes, scratches, and compression marks. Several have damaged small portions of the surface wood. The LOP measures 13 ¾ inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The muzzle and grooves are grey. The rifling is deep. There is fouling and intermittent erosion in the grooves and at the muzzle.

Overall Condition: This rifle has retains about 60% of its metal finish. The metal shows scrapes, scratches, and areas of discoloration from oxidation. The front sight shows surface erosion. The screw heads show use and oxidation. The markings are well defined. One of the receiver markings has faded. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards. The bayonet mounts the rifle properly.
The bolt release plunger is located at the left rear of the receiver. The safety is located on the rear of the bolt handle. It slides to the left for the “SAFE” position. The hook inside the trigger guard is a magazine cutoff. The magazine assist lever is at the right front of the receiver. When it is pushed down the magazine follower drops.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with a U.S. marked Ross Mk.I Bayonet & Belt Scabbard. The blade tip has been sharpened, which was common during WWI. The blade shows tool marks from aggressive cleaning. The metal also shows discoloration from oxidation. The wood shows several scratches. The belt scabbard leather shows scrapes, creasing, surface loss and discoloration. Overall the bayonet & scabbard are in about Good condition. For more bayonet info see: worldbayonets.com/Bayonet_Identification_Guide/United_States__WW_I_/us_wwi_2.html

Our Assessment: This Canadian Ross Rifle Mk II (Model 1905) is in Very Good condition. It has rare “U.S.” markings on the rifle and on the bayonet & belt scabbard. The distinctive straight pull action should make for some fast shooting and its rare markings make it an ideal candidate for a Military collection.
In 1917, the U.S. Government purchased 20,000 Ross rifles and bayonets from Canada. These were intended for use in troop training due to the shortage of rifles and bayonets during the First World War. They were marked with “U.S.” and the Ordnance Dept. “flaming bomb” acceptance mark. This bayonet and scabbard were both accepted into U.S. Army service.