Ross 1905 - 1903 Attic Find

Ganderite

Ganderite

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Location
Farm south of North Bay
A friend of mine just found this Ross. He says the bore is full of grease.

Appears to be missing the magazine. He has the bolt. Have asked for more pictures.

I did not know the magazine was detachable. Can another be sourced?

KELMAN ROSS 2.jpg

ROSS KELMAN 3.jpg

ROSS KELMAN 4.jpg
 

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I noticed a DP marking. I'd have that one check out. I'm not sure of a Ross but DP stamped on a Lee Enfield means drill proposes rifle and is not to be fired.
A gunsmith should be able to check it over for you.
You buddy has a heck of a find. I sincerely hope in this case DP means something else and this gal might still have some life left in her.
 
Hard to tell without pictures showing whether "Harris Lever" for depressing magazine follower is present. Can't see type of rear sight either. Lacks usual Mk "?" and * stamping on side. (edit) It Is a Mk1 - the first version. Stamped DP. Could have been completed by Govt. after factory was taken over with 5/17 stamping. Lever on side in front of trigger guard differs from Mk II.
Check top two rifles in photo from Military Collectors Forum ht tp://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=38716
Remove space between h and t.
The two rifles shown below the top two in the photo are mkII. I have a MkII no-star, the first version of MkII. The number of * (stars) stamped on the butt are subsequent versions. Your Mk1 or 1903 is rare. Parts would be a challenge unless ones from a MkII would fit.
 
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Looks like lever for the Harris Mag is their on the right side.

I've looked in my attic, nothing but cobwebs.
 
Has Ross MkII sight so it is a MkI*.
Stamped for issue to 48 Cadet Corp issue# 20 in May 1917.
Usually these were made into DP by snipping the firing pin.
 
Thank you for all this info. he will carefully clean it up (no sandpaper) and preserve it.

I told him that he was the first guy I met that did not already have a Cooey, Lee Enfield and a Ross. A deprived childhood, I guess, if he didn't have 3 $10 rifles.

(By age 15 my Cooey cost $8.00. my #4 cost $10 and my Ross was also $10, but it was forced on me.)
 
Entirely shootable!
And NO enlarged chambers.
I shoot it's brother (right down to the DP) all the time and it is a treat,,,handy light and accurate.
Nice find and G/e tell you friend to make that FINE bronze wool and oil and be GENTLE!!!!!!!
Cheers
OGC.
 
AGB-1 said:
Get some bronze wool and kroil and clean the metal and then some more pictures. Nice Find.
Click to expand...

DO NOT get bronze wool and kroil and clean the metal. There have been more good guns ruined that way especially if the stock is left on. Just leave it as it is. It is a lovely find, and I would totally purchase that from you for my collection as it is. Don't try to "brighten it up" or "restore" it or anything without getting it assessed first by someone knowledgable in these things.

Thx

Ed
 
A truly wonderful find!

Sage advice given by Boltaction.

Use nothing more than gun oil and a soft rag on the metal, raw linseed oil and a soft rag on the wood work.

This isn't just another surplus army rifle.

It has considerable collector value, over cleaning will reduce that.
A collector sees past the aged grime. Leave it on there, it took a long time to patina.
 
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