Ross Model 1905 Target Rifle - Ballpark value?

Bartok5

Bartok5

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Greetings, Milsup Guys!

A non-gunny friend of mine has approached me with a recently bequeathed family heirloom Ross Model 1905 Target Rifle that has been in the family since purchased new round-about 100 years ago. Thinking that I am a "gun guy" and must therefore know everything that there is to know about firearms, my buddy figures that I must know something about his Ross. The sad truth however, is that my Ross knowledge starts and ends with my own Canadian-issued M10 Mk III full-wood military rifle. I know less than nothing about the various types of Model 1905 Rifle produced for the civilian market, let alone anything about their current value. I know that it is difficult to assign a dollar value to a firearm lacking a detailed inspection, however all that I have to work with are the photos that he provided below. Please take a look, and if you think you can provide a reasonable stab at current market value (for home insurance purposes), then by all means please chime-in! The bore is apparently mirror-shiny, FWIW. The rifle has been well cared-for, with zero rust or pitting including under the wood. The only wear so to speak is the finish wear to an aged patina from a hundred years of handling and use.

E.T.A. Interesting that they used a Nose-Cap with Bayonet Lug on what is supposed to be a "Target Rifle"!


Ross-Civilian-Target-Rifle.jpg



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Ross-Rear-Sight.jpg



Ross-Proof-Marks.jpg



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Thanks for looking and for commenting with a value (if you have one). Cheers!
 
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I'm pretty sure I couldn't afford it, that said, - looks like it was made for Service Rifle competition. The rules were quite definite about what was, and was not, acceptable - things like the presence of a bayonet lug would be required depending on the class it was shot in. It's the nicest unrestored Ross I've ever seen a picture of, most Rosses were beaten on. I would not be in the least surprised at a value of $2500+ for sale, or $5,000+ for insurance, and I would hate to try to replace it. It's a unicorn. SuperBee or Smellie would have better ideas, you might also want to try the Milsurps board, their members have an amazing depth of knowledge.
 
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Switzers Auction has been liquidating a Ross collection. The II** target rifles have been bringing $1500 to over $2000 plus commission and tax.

The stock is the length of a standard Mk. II service rifle, while the barrel is longer (and heavier). Thus, while there is a bayonet lug on the nosecap, there was no bayonet that fit. This led to a complaint that the II** was not actually a service rifle. Sam Hughes said it was, so they continued to be permitted for use in the Bisley matches. Canadians were sweeping the Bisley matches with their Rosses, which outshot the MLEs used by other teams. There are some with extended bayonet lugs so that the standard bayonet could be fitted. Altered bayonets, too. After the Great War, Rosses were no longer used at Bisley.
Actual issue II** rifles did not have the serial number on the barrel breech - they had stock stampings as expected for service issue Ross rifles.
Note the wood in the stock. Sir Charles didn't care for North American walnut, preferring Italian for Mk II rifle production. These II** rifles were premium pieces, so selected blanks were used.
If you carefully disassemble the rifle, you may well find traces of what appears to be soot (blacking) from when a craftsman bedded the barreled action into the stock.
If the bore is still sharp, by all means get the rifle out to the range. These II** target rifles do shoot very well.
 
That is one of the nicest, if not the nicest Mk II** I have seen. I agree with enefgee's assessment of value, although it is likely on the high end. The rifle has been re-barreled at the factory. The "2" under the serial number denotes the second barrel.
 
Incidentally, the British NRA and the DCRA have complete records of all the prize meetings. If you can determine the name of the pre-WW1 owner, you could find the matches shot with the rifle, and the scores obtained.
 
FYI the rifle has been returned to the factory for a rebarrel thus the 2 under the (original) serial number reapplied to the new one. It was probably done early in it’s life as later rebarrels had the two piece top wood and the rear sight removed (as they were redundant with the bridge sight) and the whole works covered up with a one piece top wood. I have 2148 (2) same condition with said top wood. PM me for a pic
OGC
 
I sold a mint (as in only a few rounds fired) M10 Mk III full-wood military about 4 years ago for $1400 and judging by the way good milsurp stuff has been going up in price in the past couple of years I would agree that a $2000-2500 estimate is definitely in the ballpark.
 
Thanks to everyone who contributed their Ross knowledge to this thread. I suspect that my friend is going to be pleasanrly surprised at the value of his new (to him) heirloom!
 
Hi Bartok5. This commercial rifle is the "Military Target Mk II**" and was sold near 1911 for $40 directly from the RR factory. Yes, it was sent
back to the factory for a re-barrel not only indicated by the 2 under the early serial but also the original barrel had 24 tons Can. proof mark
stamped on top. The rear sight is the standard Ross match sight on the body bridge. Unfortunately an owner has carved a groove in the front handguard to allow for fitting of a Sutherland Mk I sight but returned the factory installed Lee Enfield sight later. Also he dished out the rear handguard assuming for a greater field of view for the bridge mounted sight ( an unnecessary modification). I would put the value near $1500 because of these non factory modifications. Since many Rosses are not seen around especially in the west values are subjective. This model was a highly accurate target rifle in its day also much sought after for its unique double pull trigger mechanism. Stocks were normally select pieces of wood and the finish usually a shellac as opposed to the oiled service rifle. Standard military parts were used as much as possible to reduce the cost. A good guess would be not more than 3000 rifles made 1910 to 1913. John
 
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