1903 Ross Pictures

[Ganderite]

Ross 1903

This is the rifle my buddy’s neighbours found in the attic.

I visited him today and took some cleaning supplies and a camera.

I don’t have a 1905 to compare it to – I gave it away last year.

I have never seen a 1903 before. Had no idea they existed. It has the magazine depression lever on the right side, like a 1905, but also has a mag cut-off. I don’t think the 1905 does.

There is something going on at the back of the trigger and trigger guard. A safety maybe? I did not have time to play with it.

What is the big knurled ring in front of the rear sight?

When I pushed a patch down the barrel it came out with a 1” worm of cosomoline. The barrel is absolutely perfect. Rifling is deeper than my 1910. Looks to be a fairly fast twist. Maybe 1:10

There are two small holes on the barrel, near the rear sight. They are tapped. I wonder if they had something to do with an earlier model rear sight? They do not go into the bore. I checked with a paper clip.

With the bolt out I don't see any firing pin protrusion. Maybe it has been clipped? Will test it soon with a primed case.

I have these pictures on Imgur but when I try tom post them I get an error warning that they are too big. ??

I will post directly, but am only allowed 3, so will add the others as replies.

 

[Ganderite]

 

[Ganderite]

 

[Ganderite]

 

[Ganderite]

 

[Ganderite]

 

[WR1894]

The part in the trigger guard release the magazine cutoff which is the lever on the side of the stock just above the trigger, the safety is on the back of the bolt

This is my 1901 sporter in 375 flanged

 

[WR1894]

I have not looked in the Ross book but i believe the knurled ring on the rear sight is for adjusting the sight also

 

[Ganderite]

I have not looked in the Ross book but i believe the knurled ring on the rear sight is for adjusting the sight also

Yes, after my oil soaks in I expect the sight to move left - right.

I hope to borrow this rifle and shoot it in one of the ORA Sporting rifle events.


^^ Is that 1901 sporter a factory made sporter? It looks very nice.

 

[WR1894]

Yes it is a factory sporter, action was made in Hartford so before Ross was in Canada and the rest of the gun was made by Charles Lancaster in London England, it is a rare gun
It is still in it oak and leather case

 

[Ganderite]

It is worthy of more pictures and a story.

 

[jtaylor]

Hello. This rifle is a Mark I* Ross service rifle manufactured in 1904/05 for the M & D Dept. Serial number A 752 (752nd rifle made). A1 to A500 were made 1904 for the Dept of Marine and Fisheries. Issued to the 30 Cadet Corps in Mar/17 and then reissued to the 48th Cadet Corps May/17. Cadets were issued only drill purpose rifles for parade and drill and as such the firing pin has been clipped (easy restoration). The side catch is a magazine cut off with the release to the front of the trigger guard. The 2 threaded screw holes on barrel top were for the original sight base for Mark I sight that was factory replaced. The knurled circular attachment to the front of the rear sight is a fine adjustment elevation screw thread principle part to enable 25 yd adjustments. A rather early M & D Ross that may show the date of affixing the present Mk II rear sight and the serial underneath the rear hand guard on the barrel reinforce. The V notch in the rear sight has been refreshed (slightly deeper than factory manufacture) and the foresight is a white metal barleycorn. Check out the Ross Rifle Story for more. JOHN

 

[Ganderite]

Hello. This rifle is a Mark I* Ross service rifle manufactured in 1904/05 for the M & D Dept. Serial number A 752 (752nd rifle made). A1 to A500 were made 1904 for the Dept of Marine and Fisheries. Issued to the 30 Cadet Corps in Mar/17 and then reissued to the 48th Cadet Corps May/17. Cadets were issued only drill purpose rifles for parade and drill and as such the firing pin has been clipped (easy restoration). The side catch is a magazine cut off with the release to the front of the trigger guard. The 2 threaded screw holes on barrel top were for the original sight base for Mark I sight that was factory replaced. The knurled circular attachment to the front of the rear sight is a fine adjustment elevation screw thread principle part to enable 25 yd adjustments. A rather early M & D Ross that may show the date of affixing the present Mk II rear sight and the serial underneath the rear hand guard on the barrel reinforce. The V notch in the rear sight has been refreshed (slightly deeper than factory manufacture) and the foresight is a white metal barleycorn. Check out the Ross Rifle Story for more. JOHN

Thank you so much. Never would have guessed that that big knob was a fine elevation. Will oil that too and see if it will turn.

 

[Rossguy]

It's a Mk l Military Ross that was likely built in 1905, and was accepted by Militia & Defense. It originally had a Ross Mk l sight fitted, then a shorter Mk l * and finally the Ross Mk ll sight that's on it now.
Decent rifle- why shoot it and risk losing it?

 

[WR1894]

Here are a couple of pictures including the name on the top of the case and below is some information on the owner








370 Nitro proof s/n 011792 1902 made for Lt Col. G Cuthbert. 40gr cordite 320grn bullet/ From the Lancaster records July 2008
Cuthbert, Colonel Gerald James
He was born Sep 12, 1861, and joined the Scots Guards in 1882. He took part in the Sudan Expedition in 1885 (medal with clasp and bronze star); acted as ADC to the Brig. General at Aldershot from 1889-90; and served in the Boer War in 1899-1902, taking part in the advance on Kimberley and the actions at Belmont, Enslin, Modder River, and Magersfontein; the operations in the Orange Free State, including the actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Vet River, and Zand River; operations in the Transvaal, including the actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Diamond Hill, and at Rict Vlei and Belfast (despatches, brevet of Lieutenant Colonel, QSA with six clasps, and Kings medal with two clasps). In 1906 Colonel Cuthbert was appointed AAG on the Staff in Egypt.
LORD ROBERTS' MENTIONS, September 4, 19O1.
Lord Roberts' despatch, dated London, September 4, is in continuation of that of April 2, and contains a further list of Regulars, Militia, Yeomanry, and Volunteers, together with a few Irregulars and Civilians, who have rendered special and meritorious service: -
Scots Guards-Lieutenant Colonel Honourable C Harbord; Majors L G Drummond, W P Pulteney, DSO, (Brevet Lieutenant Colonel) G J Cuthbert, W C G McGrigor, F J Heyworth; Captains S H Godman, R G I Bolton, H C Lowther, W F Lascelles, Honourable C S Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby, Honourable W P Hore Ruthven, J C Heriot-Maitland; Lieutenants M Barne, Honourable H J Fraser, A B E Gator, F M A Atkinson-Clark, B H S Romilly, R S Tempest, A A L Stephen, T H R Bulkeley, Lord G R Grosvenor; Quartermasters and Honourable Lieutenants W Jamieson, G Payne; Surgeon Lieutenant Colonel G S Robinson and Surgeon-Major W C Beevor, Medical Officers; Sergeant Majors T Ross, J W Sibary; Quartermaster Sergeants R Murray, W Plumer; Drill Sergeants S Buckthought, J Mitchell; Colour Sergeants R Elder, G Orchard, J McGregor, A Broadley, W M Bucknell, A Toomey, D Fisher, O Smith, J Galloway, G Weaver, G Nesbitt; Paymaster Sergeant R H Millis; Sergeants, J Buckthought, T Sargent, J McGregor, E McDermott, J Brown; Lance Sergeante. C Mallen, A W Parsons, J Martin; Lance Corporals A C E Drake, E P Farrow, E Orford, R Calder; Privates W Morrison, A Anderson, J Pilfold, H Stewart, F Starling, P Dusey; Piper A Martin.
MAGERSFONTEIN, December 1O, 11, 1899
From Lord Methuen's despatch, February 15, 1900.
Staff I have to express my appreciation of the clear orders given out, and the careful arrangements made by Colonel Douglas, ADC, my chief staff officer, for the attack. Major General Sir H Colvile showed coolness and judgment throughout two trying days. The same remark applies to Major General Babington. Lieutenant Cuthbert, Scots Guards, my extra ADU, showed considerable coolness in taking a message from me to the Gordon Highlanders; a volley was fired at him, killing his horse; he took off wallets and saddle and returned, let-tang me learn from others how he had behaved. Major Maberley, RHA, acting galloper to Major General Babington, after rallying 30 or 40 men of different regiments, was severely wounded. Captain Ruggles-Brise, brigade-major, and the ADC; of Sir H Colvile's staff, again earn honourable mention, not only in delivering orders, but also for their clear and accurate description of the position.
No. 119 Gerald James Cuthbert ('Bluebell')
Major-General Gerald James Cuthbert (1861-1931) was a Scots Guardsman who commanded 13th Brigade (1914), 140th Brigade (1914-16), and 39th Division (1916-17). He was replaced as a divisional commander after a critical report by his corps commander, Sir Ivor Maxse. Cuthbert’s nickname is mentioned in ‘With the Post Office Rifles in France and Flanders 1915-18, Tales from the Trenches!’, written by Rifleman Walter Young (IWM: 88/57/1). Cuthbert was given the nickname because he was always getting his troops to clean things: bluebells=spring=cleaning?

King's College London
Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives
Survey of the Papers of Senior UK Defence Personnel, 1900-1975
Name
CUTHBERT, Gerald James (1861-1931), Major General
Service biography
Joined Scots Guards 1882; 2 Bn, Scots Guards, Suakin expedition 1885; Aide-de-camp to Maj Gen Frederick William Edward Forestier Forestier- Walker, Aldershot 1889-1890; South African War 1899-1902; Commander, 1 Bn Scots Guards 1901; Commander, 1 Bn Scots Guards 1904-1906; Assistant Adjutant General, Egypt 1906-1909; Commander, Scots Guards Regt and 4 London Infantry Bde 1909-1913; World War I 1914-1917; Commander, 13 Infantry Bde 1914; Commander, 140 Infantry Bde 1915-1916; Commander, 39 Div 1916-1917; Commander, 72 Div and Shorncliffe Command 1918-1919
Papers
No papers have been traced