If I were to find a Ross Rifle serial #...?

[Alex_Zues]

Where would it be?

I'm filling out a form which asks for the serial #, but when I check around the receiver and proof stamps, I can't find anything that resembles a serial. There's one 3 digit code under the receiver, OF7, but that seems too short to be a serial number for something that was produced in hundreds of thousands. The closest thing I can find is a poorly electropenciled 9 digit marking on the side of the receiver. It's for an ATF form 6, so I don't want to screw around with inaccurate information.
Thanks CGNers for any tips

 

[Blastattack]

The Ross serial numbers are located on the butt of the stock. If the stock is blank, then you do not have a serial number. Alternatively you can use the electro-pencilling and say it was refurbished. No way to prove or disprove that without having extensive knowledge of Ross rifles.

As for the US form, they care less about the serial number and more about you bringing back what you brought in. As long as you don't give away or otherwise lose the rifle, I doubt they really give a damn what the serial number is, as long as what you bring back matches what you brought in.

 

[buffdog]

.
Ross Military serial numbers were stamped on the right side of the wood buttstock. It consisted of a number from 1 to 999 over a letter serial and the date.

For example "123" over "AB" with the date "1914". Factory made rifles such as sporters or private purchased target rifles had a serial number stamped on the left side of the barrel just forward of the receiver ring, in 1/8 inch numbers. The "QF7" is an inspector's code number.

Unfortunately, when most of the Ross rifles were sporterized, the first thing that seemed to happen was that the History of the rifle ended up as sanding wood dust on the floor. If you really NEED a serial number, then you might stamp one in a place that does not readily show, such as under the barrel or action as suggested. These rifles were made between 1910 and 1917, so they are (plus or minus a few years,) a hundred years old, and like the millions of other Military rifles, have been converted to sporting rifles to bring some cash to boost the economy after two World Wars.

Good Luck.
.

 

[jwhc]

A little tip I received from Smellie, using a black light ( you can get from the dollar store ) you may be able to examine the stock for the correct serial #. You could use the electropenciled as a # I would think ? Or as Buffdog stated, stamp your own in a non visible spot.

Cheers
Joe