Check out this old war horse... (1905 Ross MkII)

[Claven2]

I ran into this at a local gun shot today. It's definitely been there and done that, but is mechanically sound, complete, and has a fantastic bore. I left it there, but probably should not have. Asking was $1500. If anyone's interested, it's at Gunco in Ottawa. No web site, but they are in the yellow pages.

You don't see issued un-chopped 1905's with un-sanded stocks and nice bores very often anymore. Screws were not all buggered up and it's CEF marked, so it has some history behind it. LC marked over the chamber.

I *think* it's a MkII 5*. So hard to tell the * variant on some of these.

Cool gun.

 

[RRCo.]

5th Mounted Rifles CEF? Probably turned in before they left Canada though?

 

[Claven2]

5th Mounted Rifles CEF? Probably turned in before they left Canada though?

I was thinking it probably went to the UK and saw use in training. It IS LC marked, usually sign they made it oversees. But who knows for sure? Still a cool gun.

There is a Wikipedia page for the 5MR here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5th_Battalion,_Canadian_Mounted_Rifles,_CEF

Looks like they had a tough go of it at Passchendale.

 

[cantom]

The 3 Stars have the triangular shaped handguard. The 5 Star has a straight parallel handguard.

Can't really tell from the pics shown which it is.

 

[tiriaq]

Three star has the handguard notched down into the forend.

 

[B_noser]

I think I can see the "5" for 5* stamped on the butt.
Nice well marked Mk II indeed.

 

[Fargone4sure]

You know, if a guy sanded down that stock, cut about 10" off the barrel, it would make a nice hunting rig. JUST KIDDING,!!!

 

[cantom]

It's nice that this rifle survived original, nice that it has a great bore.

However, having seen a few collections of enthusiasts....typically the collectors look for the pristine ones.

Be they right or wrong, that's the reality.

 

[flying pig]

Sounds contradictory, but I like them to show their history. New examples don't hold as much value to me. All the as new military rifles I've had I've sold.

 

[anglia2]

Sounds contradictory, but I like them to show their history. New examples don't hold as much value to me. All the as new military rifles I've had I've sold.

I'm the same way . I always feel a bit guilty shooting pristine , old rifles .......... but I still do . Somehow , I get more of a " been there " sense from a rifle with honest battle scars ......... and then I shoot them too lol .

 

[Claven2]

Realistically, the "pristine" 1905's I've seen were either commercial target versions, were Canadian Home Guard rifles that saw no use and have few markings, or have been sanded the make them look "new" and are missing their markings (or they are really faint).

A rifle marked CEF likely went overseas and did time training the lads in England and may have even seen English homeward duty. It's amazing to even find one today, so many of those that survived the war were sporterized commercially.

Anyhow, I was glad to be able to share a few cell phone pics.

 

[Templar Knight]

If only that rifle could talk....what a tale it could tell.....

 

[Tinman204]

Wow great post!!!

Looks like a 5* to me from the few pics. But that being said I don't have a 5* in my rack so I'm guessing. 3*'s seem to fall into my lap as of late so I guess that's better then none for the time being.

 

[Philthy1]

I know nothing about these. What would fair value be?

 

[cantom]

What Claven mentioned would be pretty close.

 

[Claven2]

What Claven mentioned would be pretty close.

I have no connection to the rifle, for what it's worth. I saw it in the shop and can't really afford it now or I might have bought it. (stupid tax bill...).

The price is clearly visible in the first pic. That's the shop's price tag.

I've sold clean MkIII's for that and more. So for a rarer 1905, it's likely "fair".

 

[cantom]

I also trust Jason in the shop mentioned...one of the better gunsmiths.

One of the harder things to find these days is a Ross with a nice bore.

I have no connection to the rifle, for what it's worth. I saw it in the shop and can't really afford it now or I might have bought it. (stupid tax bill...).

The price is clearly visible in the first pic. That's the shop's price tag.

I've sold clean MkIII's for that and more. So for a rarer 1905, it's likely "fair".

 

[Oldguncrank]

I have known Jason personally for many years, and he is an honest and professional dealer.
However, he is bound to post the asking price of his consigners, in spite of his advice, and sometimes (often) they are unrealistic. In this case in the EXTREME!
I have a 5* and a 3* that are light years ahead of this example (no offence) and they are south of $1000.
When we get back on the tundra, I will post them and y'all may be the judge.
95F on my ride to Roosevelt Lake (Az) through the mountains today.
Keep your powder dry.
Oldguncrank

 

[boltaction]

I have known Jason personally for many years, and he is an honest and professional dealer.
However, he is bound to post the asking price of his consigners, in spite of his advice, and sometimes (often) they are unrealistic. In this case in the EXTREME!
I have a 5* and a 3* that are light years ahead of this example (no offence) and they are south of $1000.
When we get back on the tundra, I will post them and y'all may be the judge.
95F on my ride to Roosevelt Lake (Az) through the mountains today.
Keep your powder dry.
Oldguncrank

I have on occasion seen nice examples selling south of $1000 (auction for example), but that is the exception nowadays. 5* rifles are rare, and the regimental markings on this one are unusual. Given even the leap in prices on the MkIII's I don't think the price on this one is out of line. Milsurps do tend to appreciate too, so even if it's a bit out of line it will catch up. Not like they're making more, at least not yet.

Ed

 

[shredder]

5th Mounted Rifles CEF? Probably turned in before they left Canada though?

I thought the First Contingent took Ross MkIII's to France in 1915?