Ross M10 Questions markings and proofs

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AJones

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Hello I acquired my first ross about a year ago, and have recently begun collecting a few more, they have been sporterized, but I believe one to be full length and restorable. It wasn't until I had a few that I noticed some different markings that I was hoping someone could enlighten me on. Here are the rifles.
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On the full length sporter, I can see, the Nitro proof mark, the not English made mark, and the "E"nlarged chamber mark. as well as the DCP proof.
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on the shortened sporter, there is no Nitro proof, no Enlarged chamber markings, and the writing appears different. There is also a strange "R" stamp
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When the shortened sporter came to me it the stock had these markings.
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The next strange thing I noticed was the rear sights, the aperture on the shorty is about half the diameter of the f/l sporter.
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The front sights were also different and I'm fairly certain this was the work of bubba one is a Lyman sight.
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So my question is about the shorty, why no nitro proof, what does the R signify, was it normal for the M10 lettering to change over the years. I would appreciate any info, thay you can tell me.
Thanks.
 
The stock markings on your shorty are the Factory Roundel and the Serial Number: Rifle Number 15, series RR (or is that KR?), made in 1914.

The tiny aperture was correct for the very early Mark III rifles (such as an early 1914) but they were quickly supplanted by the more common larger aperture. The small aperture was very popular with target shooters, whereas the Army preferred a sight which worked better in poor light.

Yes, the long one is restorable. Look hard and you could find the woodwork and a nose-cap (the eternal bugaboo of Ross restorers). Full length or not, these rifles can REALLY shoot..... and your muzzle velocity will be close to 150 ft/sec higher than what the book or the box says. That long barrel does make a difference. Yes, the Ross DID "shoot harder" than the Lee-Enfield. Recoil, though, bothers you less, I find.

I am surprised at the absence of Battalion markings on the butt of the shorty although, likely, it is Battalion marked under the Wrist of the stock. Look for a very small circle with letters and numbers inside it. I have one here marked to the 16th Battalion, CEF: Can Scots.

Many of these rifles saw service with the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines Light Infantry in both world wars. In that service, they did pick up some wild variety of markings. The rifle with full English proofs likely was surplused after the end of the SECOND World War, at which times these markings were mandatory for all rifles to be exported. The short rifle, not having these markings, could have been surplused after the FIRST World War, at which time the Canadian DCP-and-flags mark was considered to be equal to a GP or BNP marking under British law.

BTW, is that a plugged HOLE in the butt of the shorty? If so, it could indicate that the rifle was fitted with a "punt line" at some point: a braided thin rope through the Butt, braided back upon itself, the other end fastened to the boat. Kept the rifle from going overboard in foul weather. Could be an indication of small-boat or torpedo-boat service.

Hope this helps.
 
Thank you for the reply, very helpful. Im going to search for the wood and the nosecap. I have read the threads on repo nose caps and repro stocks, may consider that option as well.
 
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