Ross mk 2

twincamharley

twincamharley

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Bought this about a year ago and just pulled it out and snapped a couple of pics, and thought I would share. Real nice original condition with original sling and bayonet and by the look of the Buttstock had a long life including being issued to the Kings Canadian Hussars







 
This one could fill a book. It is similar in markings to several Mark II rifles we have seen in the past few years. Based on the markings on these other rifles and on this one, it is probable that the rifle was sent from the 60th. Victoria Rifles in Montreal to Valcartier in August 1915, (60/507 CEF). In Valcartier it was issued as rifle number 15 of the 3rd. Battalion (Toronto) and rifle number 774 of the 5th Battalion, (Western Cavalry.) It looks like it was also issued to either the 6th Battalion, (Fort Garry Horse) or the 8th. Battalion, (Black Devils.) The 42 Battalion, (Royal Highlanders) sailed with the Second Contingent on June 10, 1915.

A anomality is that ALL of these Unit markings have been cancelled out, EXCEPT the 6/15 (or 8/15) markings, which would have been the last unit to own this rifle, EXCEPT the 6th (or 8th) Battalion sailed with the First Contingent on October 3, 1914.
 
buffdog said:
This one could fill a book. It is similar in markings to several Mark II rifles we have seen in the past few years. Based on the markings on these other rifles and on this one, it is probable that the rifle was sent from the 60th. Victoria Rifles in Montreal to Valcartier in August 1915, (60/507 CEF). In Valcartier it was issued as rifle number 15 of the 3rd. Battalion (Toronto) and rifle number 774 of the 5th Battalion, (Western Cavalry.) It looks like it was also issued to either the 6th Battalion, (Fort Garry Horse) or the 8th. Battalion, (Black Devils.) The 42 Battalion, (Royal Highlanders) sailed with the Second Contingent on June 10, 1915.

A anomality is that ALL of these Unit markings have been cancelled out, EXCEPT the 6/15 (or 8/15) markings, which would have been the last unit to own this rifle, EXCEPT the 6th (or 8th) Battalion sailed with the First Contingent on October 3, 1914.
Click to expand...

Wow, thanks for all of the info !!!
I was initially drawn to it because of it's connection to the 14th KCH, a Nova Scotia unit
 
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Very nice rifle, TCH. Great markings. I think Buffdog is including my Mk II 5* among the Ross rifles with similar markings - it shows as having passed through the Victoria Rifles and the FGH as well. This pleases me as my grandfather served with the 226th Battalion in the Great War (oh, and Buffdog, I hope to be able soon to post details of another milsurp with MB militia connections) ;)
 
buffdog said:
This one could fill a book. It is similar in markings to several Mark II rifles we have seen in the past few years. Based on the markings on these other rifles and on this one, it is probable that the rifle was sent from the 60th. Victoria Rifles in Montreal to Valcartier in August 1915, (60/507 CEF). In Valcartier it was issued as rifle number 15 of the 3rd. Battalion (Toronto) and rifle number 774 of the 5th Battalion, (Western Cavalry.) It looks like it was also issued to either the 6th Battalion, (Fort Garry Horse) or the 8th. Battalion, (Black Devils.) The 42 Battalion, (Royal Highlanders) sailed with the Second Contingent on June 10, 1915.

A anomality is that ALL of these Unit markings have been cancelled out, EXCEPT the 6/15 (or 8/15) markings, which would have been the last unit to own this rifle, EXCEPT the 6th (or 8th) Battalion sailed with the First Contingent on October 3, 1914.
Click to expand...

Nice Ross and sure carries a story stamped into the butt stock. I was under the impression that the 1905 Ross never saw action in WW1 only the 1910. Am I misinformed?
 
The Mark III (Model of 1910 action) was just entering Service when the Great War broke out. The Militia already was equipped with the Mark II (1905 action) Ross Rifle. At the declaration of war, the Army had only a few hundreds of Mark III rifles.

Every step was taken to supply more of the new rifles to the military.

Valcartier was set up as a training base. Rifle training there was done initially with the Mark II rifle. As Mark III rifles were built, they were issued to the forming Battalions, a Battalion at a time. By the time the First Contingent sailed, the entire Canadian Expeditionary Force had been equipped with the Mark III rifle..... except for 15th Battalion, which carried the Mark II rifle overseas. Mark III rifles followed the Battalion, so the Mark II rifles were not used in combat. Too bad: might have been a most interesting comparison to have both models involved in the same fight.
 
buffdog said:
This one could fill a book. It is similar in markings to several Mark II rifles we have seen in the past few years. Based on the markings on these other rifles and on this one, it is probable that the rifle was sent from the 60th. Victoria Rifles in Montreal to Valcartier in August 1915, (60/507 CEF). In Valcartier it was issued as rifle number 15 of the 3rd. Battalion (Toronto) and rifle number 774 of the 5th Battalion, (Western Cavalry.) It looks like it was also issued to either the 6th Battalion, (Fort Garry Horse) or the 8th. Battalion, (Black Devils.) The 42 Battalion, (Royal Highlanders) sailed with the Second Contingent on June 10, 1915.

A anomality is that ALL of these Unit markings have been cancelled out, EXCEPT the 6/15 (or 8/15) markings, which would have been the last unit to own this rifle, EXCEPT the 6th (or 8th) Battalion sailed with the First Contingent on October 3, 1914.
Click to expand...

So what units are 6/15 or 8/15? I'm assuming that's 15 Battalion, 48th Highlanders of Canada (my brother's last reserve regiment). But the 6 and 8 are unclear. Platoon numbers?
 
Thanks for the info. Yeah, it would have been interesting to see if the 1905 fared any better as a combat rifle.

smellie said:
The Mark III (Model of 1910 action) was just entering Service when the Great War broke out. The Militia already was equipped with the Mark II (1905 action) Ross Rifle. At the declaration of war, the Army had only a few hundreds of Mark III rifles.

Every step was taken to supply more of the new rifles to the military.

Valcartier was set up as a training base. Rifle training there was done initially with the Mark II rifle. As Mark III rifles were built, they were issued to the forming Battalions, a Battalion at a time. By the time the First Contingent sailed, the entire Canadian Expeditionary Force had been equipped with the Mark III rifle..... except for 15th Battalion, which carried the Mark II rifle overseas. Mark III rifles followed the Battalion, so the Mark II rifles were not used in combat. Too bad: might have been a most interesting comparison to have both models involved in the same fight.
Click to expand...
 
I pulled out of storage to oil it up and decided to update some pics and what do I find under the wrist?? US markings,

Anyone care to comment, obviously it ended up in US hands.Updated pic of Cdn markings on butt (The date that was questioned as 6/15 or 8/15 is indeed a "6" ) and US marks on wrist. Maybe this would explain why all of the Cdn markings have been cancelled out?

It really got around




 
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I'm assuming you imported it. Unsporterized MkII's are VERY common in the US compared to anywhere else. They were sent to the US as military aid in large numbers during WW1 to be used for training. Supposedly many served after the war as prison guard rifles.

I'd wager over 90% of un-sporterized MkII Rosses I see are US marked.
 
Actually I did not import it, I guess it obviously was imported by someone, somewhere along the way

Claven2 said:
I'm assuming you imported it. Unsporterized MkII's are VERY common in the US compared to anywhere else. They were sent to the US as military aid in large numbers during WW1 to be used for training. Supposedly many served after the war as prison guard rifles.

I'd wager over 90% of un-sporterized MkII Rosses I see are US marked.
Click to expand...
 
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