Ross Rifle M-10 Enfield Sport 303 Brit -Pictures-

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randal007

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My grandpa has this rifle burred away and is looking at selling it, but we have no idea what the value is. I'm considering buying it and cleaning it up. So my question is what is this rifle worth, and is it worth cleaning it up. I don't think it would take that much work. The Rifle was made in 1927 or earlier. Ive been told it functions beautifully before it was put in storage. Again this is the sport version.







 
Welcome aboard!

Now, the sad news. Your grandpa's rifle is no longer in original condition. It looks like a WWI Ross. The exact model is going to be determined after some debate and questions. Sir Charles Ross modified the design enough times to make a definitive identification problematic. Secondly, good men have chased after parts and pieces to restore these rifles and most have come up disappointed.

However, you have your grandfather's rifle. I only have one like he had. You are ahead of me.
 
This rifle is a Factory Sporter. Look at the "R" and the "303 Ross" markings. It is in the original shape for a Factory made Ross Sporter, and it is NOT a sporterized military rifle. There are no "DCP proof marks" or Military Inspection markings visible, on the barrel, where they should be for a Military Ross.

You have an original factory made Ross M-10 Model R Sporter, chambered for .303 British, (.303 Ross is the same cartridge.) It is worth quite a bit more than an ordinary sporterized Military Ross, and well worth the time and effort to clean it up. DO NOT SAND the stock, or apply a modern finish to it, or you will immediately lose half the value. The idea here is a gentle cleaning, not a refinishing job.

Depending upon the serial number, it could have been made between 1910 and 1918. By 1920, the Ross Rifle Company was out of business.

Caution - This rifle does not appear to have a pinned bolt, and therefore, the bolt can be assembled wrong. READ THE STICKY AT THE START OF THE MILSURPS SECTION ON 1910 ROSS BOLT DISASSEMBLY. IF YOU ARE NOT SURE, DO NOT TRY TO DISASSEMBLE THE BOLT.
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buffdog said:
This rifle is a Factory Sporter. ...

You have an original factory made Ross M-10 Model R Sporter, chambered for .303 British, (.303 Ross is the same cartridge.) It is worth quite a bit more than an ordinary sporterized Military Ross, and well worth the time and effort to clean it up.

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Good eye Buffdog! Too many Ross' have had the character carved off them. At least this one is now has an identity.
 
Mild on a Ross stock is no big deal. My MkI* came to me covered in moldy pigeon poop. Now it's gorgeous again. Trick is to rub it DRY with 0000 steel wool gently. Blow the dust off. Repeat watching carefully for color changes then give it a generous rub with RLO and leave it for 1/2 hour or so then run it in a circular motion with a piece of old denim. For the metal rub DRY gently with 0000 steel wool be careful to not take any finish or rub hard enough to scar the finish then spray down with braekleen and re oil as normal. It'll look as good as it possibly can and you've damaged nothing. Nice rifle! I have a rifle here from each of my Grandpas. They are priceless to me!
 
Thanks for all the replies. I'm planning on buying it from my grandpa because he wants to get rid of it. What do you think is a reasonable price. I plan on cleaning it up, and I am aware of the bolt can be assembled wrong.
 
Yes, it'a factory sporter, a 1910-R as Buffdog pointed out.

In it's current condition...$200 would be more than fair. I doubt you'd be able to sell it for more than that.

How's the bore btw?
 
The rifle is not at my house, ill have to check the bore next week. I am hoping I will get it and I will clean it up and post pictures.
 
Give the metal work the "Easy Off" treatment and you'll be amazed how it comes up: http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...17-Ross-rifle-(Sort-of)&p=8578415#post8578415

You have been given good advice on the stock: flying pig did a fine job on his. Myself, I would skip the steel wool and simply wipe down thoroughly and carefully with a damp rag, let dry thoroughly then oil, but it depends on the stock and rifle. When you steel wool a stock, what happens is you remove material from the high points, but not the low points, so dents, checkering etc. all appear darker and more noticeable

The only way to avoid that is to completely strip everything, steam out the dents etc. etc. and that should never be done on a collectible rifle like this. There is nothing worse than a fine old gun that has been ruined in that way. I have a 1910-R it was done to I could post photos of; it's not a pretty sight and even with all the work in the world, it would always look "new" and completely inappropriate to the age and finish of the gun.

Clean out the inletting with an old toothbrush and compressed air when you have removed the barreled action. You can wipe down with a product called Benefect that will kill the mold as well as bleach, but without any harmful effects on you or the woodwork.

The patina on a rifle stock is like the patina on a piece of antique furniture: you mess it up and you've lost half the value, or more, as mentioned above. IF IN DOUBT, DON"T! You can always come back to that later.
 
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Good score. Murder those dustbunies, manage that mold, get her cleaned up and shooting again, and you'll have a very classy rig and a lasting tribute to your Grandpa.

Keep this rifle forever. It belongs to your kids. You're just holding on to it for them.
 
Sweetness. That's going to be a keeper. Listen to the advice above and never, never, never sell it. But if you do, sell it to me. ;)
 
My other piece of advice is ask your GF for all the info about it and its history that he has. Type that on a piece of paper and put a copy in the buttstock. There is a hole under the buttplate you can put it in. Put your own info there too in case the rifle is lost or stolen some day.
 
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Finished

It took me awhile to get at it, but its all cleaned up. I used the Easy off treatment, then 0000 steel wool on the metal to get rid of rust, and a damp cloth on the wood stock. Then i wiped it with a little bit of oil. Turned out great, Spent about 6 Hours working on it. :D









I noticed a few areas of dirt in the chamber, I will clean that up later. Picked up some 180 Grain 303 British and will test it out at the range.
 
That is a beautiful rifle. A damn fine job on cleaning it up too. And now you have a very fine and collectible family heirloom. The fact that its a factory R-10 and not a cut down run of the mill dime a dozen Lee-Enfield bubba makes it just that much sweeter IMO. Enjoy!
 
The finish on the metal is somewhat worn, but that is HONEST WEAR, not abuse. THIS rifle has been carried and it has been used, but it was always used GENTLY.

It was regarded as a fine piece of equipment..... and it was a fine piece of equipment, still is, always will be, one of the finest ever made.

When it was new, it sold for more than a MONTH's full pay..... and it was WORTH IT.

You have a SPECTACULAR heirloom for your own Grandson..... some day.

Congratulations, friend.
 
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