Another question for Ross experts.

[bdft]

I have a 1905 Ross that has been sporterized sometime in the distant past. The problem is that the front sight is mounted on a band that is loose on the end of the barrel. There is a hole through the band below the sight that looks like it would take a pin or some kind of pinch bolt. Is this a Ross sight or something someone cobbled together. Were Ross sights pinned on like a JC flashhider or am I missing a screw?

 

[green]

Looks like a front sight for a Short Lee Enfield.

 

[wheaty]

The Mk. II Ross front sight is pinned down through the top of the sight under the blade...The front sight you have is as GREEN says...a No.1 Mk. III front sight.

 

[cantom]

I think Rossguy has written that there is a set screw that holds that front sight base on to a 1905 barrel. As green mentioned, that might be an Enfield sight, not sure though.

You could...remove the sight blade, drill and tap a hole going down, then thread in and tighten down a set screw against the barrel, possibly putting a dimple there to retain it. Blue loctite, put the sight blade back in and presto...

Ross made so many variations, God alone knows them all...

 

[bdft]

That's what I was afraid of. I might be better off to install an aftermarket ramp front sight and get it over with.

 

[Rossguy]

Whatever it is, it's not Ross- early MkI's and MkII's used a vertical grub-screw down through the sleeve at 12 o'clock ( look under the front sight itself) then later mod used a cross-pin- As long as we're just discussing military foresights, you can expect to find the four tapped holes to secure the sight hood...Commercials are altogether different.