Another quick question about 1905 Ross rifle.

[dimon]

I came across this Model 1905 Ross rifle. I believe this is an Mk2 one star model. That's what the quick search on the Internet told me. I really don’t know much about these. I only bought it because it is Canadian made and it will complement my small Long Branch collection. However, it doesn’t have any serial numbers on the metal except for the bolt. The right side of the buttstock appears to have been cleared of all markings a long time ago. Did Bubba do it in the 60’s? Aren’t these supposed to have a serial number on the receiver? Or this is a genuine service rifle with just the butt stock markings removed?

 

[flying pig]

Yup that’s a MkII* that’s been scrubbed. I have a MkII /W MkIII backsight that was scrubbed almost identically.

 

[B_noser]

Service rifles had the SN and other identifying marks on the RS face of the butt. Civilian riflws have the SN on the LS of the BBL just ahead of the receiver and on the butt UNDER the buttplate. Lots of Ross rifles have been scrubbed after being sold out of service.

 

[flying pig]

Not

Service rifles had the SN and other identifying marks on the RS face of the butt. Civilian riflws have the SN on the LS of the BBL just ahead of the receiver and on the butt UNDER the buttplate. Lots of Ross rifles have been scrubbed after being sold out of service.

Not necessarily under the butt plate. I’ve seen Ross range his markings on commercial rifles from just the LHS of the chamber right down to every single part getting at least two digits of the serial number just like a K98 on one known MilMatch rifle.

The Commercial line was Sir Charles’ sandbox, lots of experimenting went on there.