Ross M10 - unissued?

[KotKotofeich]

I bought a Ross M10 that positively looks unissued. (And it's all your guys fault that I even looked for one ) Has some very minor dings on the stock that are expected for a rifle that old (not sanded). No unit markings on the butt. The bluing everywhere is phenomenal. The bore is shiny with crisp rifling. It seriously looks new. Is it possible this one was not issued? Is there something I can check to confirm?

(I got the bayonets elsewhere and they are unit marked)

 

[mhowarth]

She's gorgeous!

 

[crashcollins]

WOW! Very nice.

 

[Syphen]

Beauty!

 

[flying pig]

Jealous! Very nice rifle!

 

[green]

Is the serial# stamped on the lhs of the barrel with an HG prefix?

 

[tiriaq]

Is the serial# stamped on the lhs of the barrel with an HG prefix?

Yes. Bet it is a HG rifle. These are sometimes found in this condition.
If it is a regular issue Mk. III, without a HG serial on the barrel, and with only the typical factory serial stamps on the right side of the butt, it is a remarkably uncommon rifle.

 

[Tinman204]

Yes. Bet it is a HG rifle. These are sometimes found in this condition.
If it is a regular issue Mk. III, without a HG serial on the barrel, and with only the typical factory serial stamps on the right side of the butt, it is a remarkably uncommon rifle.

I agree that my guess is a home guard rifle. I know Smellie has a similar rifle that is in mint shape and looks unissued. Too bad it's chopped.

This one is as good as it gets, nice score OP.

 

[Ax.338]

Looks like a H.G. rear sight.

 

[KotKotofeich]

yes - H G stamped prefix to the serial on left hand side - very unevenly too. I'll snap a picture when I get home.

 

[Steve1987]

This rifle looks killer! Woaw.

Nice collectors item.

 

[RMXC51]

Phiuk mi, that is gorgeous!

 

[tiriaq]

Looks like a H.G. rear sight.

It is the early pattern sight, with tiny aperture. Service rifles had the same sight, although most all were opened out.

My HG is in about the same condition.

 

[LawrenceN]

Nice score! My brother picked one up recently and it's marked for the County of York, Home Guard.

 

[Ax.338]

Is it possible this one was not issued? Is there something I can check to confirm?

It`s probably been shot a bit, but not much.

It`s been cycled a fair bit by the looks of the receiver rails. The safety lugs on the bottom of the bolt show signs of use. And it`s been taken apart a couple times by the looks of the stock bolts.

Very nice rifle.

 

[Ax.338]

Are there any markings at all on the right side of the butt stock?

 

[tiriaq]

It is 101 years old. Of course the action has been cycled, and of course it may have been fired. Although with a pristine bore, it must have been cleaned carefully, if used with any period issue ball.

Mine has no primer ring on the bolt face, no brass smears in the magazine system, nor marks on the feed ramp. I can't say it is unfired since leaving the factory, but it sure didn't get used much.

 

[tootall]

Approx value?

 

[Shooting Centre]

What someone is willing to pay.

 

[tootall]

OK, I'll start the bidding at 99 cents.



Seriously, there must be some sort of established range.