Ross 1903 MK I
- Thread starter morrisdcode
- Start date
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Blastattack
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg MB
Barrel length really tells you nothing unless the entire rifle is unaltered from factory condition. There were a great deal of very well done conversions that shortened barrels and replaced the factory front sights. It could just as easily be a modified sporter of some sort.
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Is it a 1903 Mark I or is it a 1905 Mark I. With that low serial number and date, it could be an early production 1905 Mark I. This thread needs good close-up pictures of the rifle, the right side of the butt stock, and the action, including any markings.
What is the basis of considering this rifle a 1903 Mark I?
Is it a 1903 Mark I or is it a 1905 Mark I. With that low serial number and date, it could be an early production 1905 Mark I. This thread needs good close-up pictures of the rifle, the right side of the butt stock, and the action, including any markings.
What is the basis of considering this rifle a 1903 Mark I?
- Location
- Beaverlodge, Alberta
Buffdog forgot to mention that it should have a letter block stamp next to the serial over the build date. Eg: My MkI* is I block rifle 716/built in 1905. Reads like this:
I. 716
1905
Does yours have a magazine cut off switch? Also it should have a knurled cocking piece. Knurling on the chamber area of the receiver seems to be a standard. The bolt should also have a dust cover that is bolted on. The nose cap and mid band are also unique on the MkI vs other Ross rifles.
Here are some photos that may be helpful.
That is the only minty, pristine example I have ever seen, and only online. His front sight hood is on backwards.
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Here is a repro mag cut off switch I built:
The rear sight above is from a MkI*. The MkI sight is not a 'ski jump' style sight. I don't have any pictures of them.
Hopefully those will help you some. You got pretty lucky if you got a MkI, I know your add has only been up a few months. Lots of ppl have been collecting Rosses for years and dont have one.
I. 716
1905
Does yours have a magazine cut off switch? Also it should have a knurled cocking piece. Knurling on the chamber area of the receiver seems to be a standard. The bolt should also have a dust cover that is bolted on. The nose cap and mid band are also unique on the MkI vs other Ross rifles.
Here are some photos that may be helpful.
That is the only minty, pristine example I have ever seen, and only online. His front sight hood is on backwards.
Here is a repro mag cut off switch I built:
The rear sight above is from a MkI*. The MkI sight is not a 'ski jump' style sight. I don't have any pictures of them.
Hopefully those will help you some. You got pretty lucky if you got a MkI, I know your add has only been up a few months. Lots of ppl have been collecting Rosses for years and dont have one.
The Rifle is Marked, Ross Rifle Quebec Canada Patented 1903. It is defiantly not a MKII or a 1905 as have both a MKII 5 star in full dress and an original 1905R. Just thought some one might know the serial number range of the RNWMP ordered guns. Unlike my 3 MKII's this MKI has the serial number on the barrel, it is marked DC with the broad arrow. The serial number is not a commercial serial style, but like normal Ross military serial on the stock 2XX over 1905.
thanks Dave
PS will try to get pics up tonight
what do you guys use for bullets with the tight bore of a MkI?
and why did Sir Charles make the bore under size to begin with?
thanks Dave
PS will try to get pics up tonight
what do you guys use for bullets with the tight bore of a MkI?
and why did Sir Charles make the bore under size to begin with?
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- Location
- Beaverlodge, Alberta
Dave, it does sound like a proper MkI. Mine also has the serial under the front hand guard on the barrel. I can't comment as to whether the serial block letter is there as well but it is also D^C marked there, M&D plus D^C on the butt.
From the sounds of it yours has the info on the RHS of the butt sanded off? If it does it is a shame. Should the RNWMP rifles not have their stamp there as well?
Sorry for being like a pack of wolves, pretty exciting whenever a new one of these shows up!
From the sounds of it yours has the info on the RHS of the butt sanded off? If it does it is a shame. Should the RNWMP rifles not have their stamp there as well?
Sorry for being like a pack of wolves, pretty exciting whenever a new one of these shows up!
- Location
- Beaverlodge, Alberta
Dave, any progress on an update yet? Really interested in your find!
- Location
- Beaverlodge, Alberta
Nice Dave! Sportered MkI*. Same exact wood color as mine too. Sad part is whoever sportered it modified the stock rear of the mid band and moved the band back. But, you have an intact mid band With swivel, and the mag cut off lever is still there. That is a very nice sporter too, whoever did it did a nice job. You could restore it if you wanted, wood is pretty easy to work with but you would need a whole new stock. I do plan on building a nosecap for mine, if it went well I would be willing to do a second maybe if you wouldn't mind a lengthy wait. Is part of your rear swivel there still too? Metal looks nice, how is the bore?
Ya she ain't going to win any beauty pageants, but the bore is actually very good. This is the first MKI I have handled, I thought it would be smooth like a MKII but it seems to take allot more effort to close than a 05. The rear swivel is not all there, is it common to any of the other Ross's?
- Location
- Beaverlodge, Alberta
I'm not sure when they quit making the really light sling swivels that were found on the MkI. My rifles swivel is completely gone. The MkIII swivels can be found, and do thread into the hole but have a much heavier gauge wire. I don't think its a bad looking rifle at all. The bolts are a lot harder on closing than the MkIIs, mine is the same. Watch the screw on the dust cover, I do shoot mine a little and that screw comes loose all the time even with red loctite.
