Ross rifle - 1905 mk II question

[jusdivinum]

Hello gentlemen,

I have recently come into possession of a Ross 1905 mk II in fabulous condition for its age. In trying to figure things out I have come across my first question. This particular rifle doesn’t appear to have any military markings on it at all (none on the stock and none on the metal) but it doesn’t have the longer barrel of the civilian target rifle. Is this common? Thanks for any help you can provide. I have added pictures - did it quickly with my iPad but I think they will give you an idea...

https://imgur.com/xYCNWnQ
https://imgur.com/KfxNOCF
https://imgur.com/gihnxfi
https://imgur.com/rDZ5Rf9
https://imgur.com/yJT7LsP
https://imgur.com/eDTp1y2
https://imgur.com/p16LXA1
https://imgur.com/yzPDifr
https://imgur.com/YhH32sI
https://imgur.com/hhIrOFw

 

[iain.quayle]

Pictures help. Possibility that the stock was sanded.

 

[jusdivinum]

Thanks. I’ll try to get some pics up.

 

[tiriaq]

Looks to be a Mk. II*****. Any evidence that the right side of the butt was scraped, sanded? Is there a serial number on the breech of the barrel, left side, numerals about 1/16" high?

 

[jusdivinum]

Thanks. I'll have a look when I get home in a couple of hours and report back.

 

[jtaylor]

Hello jusdivinum. This Ross is the final variation of the 1905 short rifles - the Ross Mk II 5* of which they made 15,000 in 1910
and progressed through 1911. All the military marks have been removed from the right side of the butt. There were no commercial
models of the II 5*. All 1905 short rifle barrels are 28 inches from breech to muzzle and all took the Mark I Ross bayonet. All 5* were
outfitted with the Mark I Sutherland sight made by Canada Tool and Specialty in Nova Scotia. John

 

[B_noser]

I agree with tiriaq. It is a nice looking Mk II ***** (5*). I don't believe it would have been a civilian rifle and it is unfortunate, but not unusual, that the stamps were removed from the right face of the butt. If, on the remote chance it is a civilian rifle, it would have the serial number as tiriaq mentioned. I have a 5* that received similar treatment.

 

[jusdivinum]

Thank you very much gentlemen. You have been extremely helpful. It does not have a serial number on the barrel. When I looked there were some markings though. I will attach a picture of those markings below.

https://imgur.com/ZlWA6ss

 

[iain.quayle]

What they said.
Unfortunate that the stock markings have been fully removed because the bluing is really in decent condition. There may be a very faint outline of the roundel still present on the right side of the stock (cant tell if it is that or just some texture in the stock).
Mine also got sanded for some reason, though not to that extent.