The Ross rifle that the Canadians used in the trenches in WW 1 had a barrel length of 30.5 inches , much too long and unwieldy in the close confines of a trench , was there ever some research done , or plans to shorten the barrel, to something like 26 inches that the P 14 barrel length
Ross Rifle barrel length
- Thread starter x westie
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Yes, the Ross Rifle Company was quite aware of the length problem with the Mark III in a trench-war setting.
Very early in the Great War, the Company produced an abbreviated Mark III with a barrel length such as you suggest.
This test rifle was submitted to the Small Arms panel along with the information that the Company could begin series production of the new model on an instant's notice.
The Panel rejected the modified rifle after only the most cursory examination.
This is written up in The Ross Rifle Story.
Very early in the Great War, the Company produced an abbreviated Mark III with a barrel length such as you suggest.
This test rifle was submitted to the Small Arms panel along with the information that the Company could begin series production of the new model on an instant's notice.
The Panel rejected the modified rifle after only the most cursory examination.
This is written up in The Ross Rifle Story.
I believe the trial carbine may have been a Mk II** with the barrel shortened to 26". T.R.R.S. also presents a Mk III with a barrel shortened to 26.5" as a possible carbine modification for cavalry use. However, that example is suspect, since the stock has been slimmed and the right face of the butt scrubbed. It would make sense that, at that point in time, a trial carbine would be assembled on a Mk III platform rather than a Mk II. The trial carbine was intended for cavalry use, so the Mk II platform might have been chosen due to it's lighter weight and lack of a protruding magazine. Sir Sam Hughes was not in favor of rifles with shortened barrels, so the project was shelved .
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I often hear about how the Ross Mk3 was supposedly so unweildly in the trenches compared to the SMLE. I searched for overall lengths of both rifles including bayonets, here is what I found...
SMLE with bayonet attached 62"
Ross Rifle mk3 with bayonet attached 60.5"
The Ross Rifles data was sourced from: The Ross Rifle Story - ISBN: 0-9732416-0-8
SMLE data sourced from Wikipedia.
If we consider this information to be accurate, then perhaps we've been fed some fake news all these years. If the Ross mk3 was considered to be too long for the trenches with bayonet attached at 60.5", then surely the SMLE with its 62" overall length with pattern 1907 bayonet must have been as well.
I'm surprised that nobody's compared the two rifles overall lengths before, or was it a case of it just didn't fit the Political Narrative of the time.
SMLE with bayonet attached 62"
Ross Rifle mk3 with bayonet attached 60.5"
The Ross Rifles data was sourced from: The Ross Rifle Story - ISBN: 0-9732416-0-8
SMLE data sourced from Wikipedia.
If we consider this information to be accurate, then perhaps we've been fed some fake news all these years. If the Ross mk3 was considered to be too long for the trenches with bayonet attached at 60.5", then surely the SMLE with its 62" overall length with pattern 1907 bayonet must have been as well.
I'm surprised that nobody's compared the two rifles overall lengths before, or was it a case of it just didn't fit the Political Narrative of the time.
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Comparing lengths with bayonets fixed doesn't make sense, as the rifles are different lengths to begin with and so are the respective bayonets.
No.1 Mk.III is 44.57" in length. Patt. 1907 bayonet blade length is 17". When mounted, gives a total length as mentioned of 61.57". The idea at the time was a minimum rifle/bayonet length of 5', to allow an infantryman to be able to dismount a cavalryman.
The Ross is apparently 52" in length. The SMLE clearly has the advantage in being a shorter rifle, when it comes to trench warfare.
No.1 Mk.III is 44.57" in length. Patt. 1907 bayonet blade length is 17". When mounted, gives a total length as mentioned of 61.57". The idea at the time was a minimum rifle/bayonet length of 5', to allow an infantryman to be able to dismount a cavalryman.
The Ross is apparently 52" in length. The SMLE clearly has the advantage in being a shorter rifle, when it comes to trench warfare.
