Unknown Ross Carbine

Please clarify:
Are you suggesting the Ross Rifle Co. changed the model designation to Mk II* "when the rifles were handed down to the cadets", or are you saying the military changed the model designation "when they were handed down"? Does that apply to both those with the Ross Mk II sight and the Ross Mk III sight?
 
According to the page I was reading 5800 of the early rifles went back to the Ross rifle factory for maintenance in 1909 after the government decided to repurpose them for cadet use. There they were refurbished and stamped mkII*. That might be why you see MkII*s with a mix of early and later style barrel bands, buttplates and bayonet bands.

In 1912 the remaining Ross mk II with mk II sight and the 5800 mkII*s were redesignated "Rifle, Cadet, Ross" not sure if there were any markings or maintenance done here as the government renamed all the Ross rifles in 1912 for better inventory management.

The source doesn't say there were any mk II rifles with mk III sights included but I have seen one Ross mk II with mk III sight that was stamped mk II*, maybe it was a mismatched stock who knows.

In 1918 all the government owned short mk IIs were redisignated "Ross, .303" cadet D.P." I assume this is where the D.P. markings come from.
 
I will do a full strip of the rifle, and take pictures of any markings/serials I can find on parts. Wherever this rifle was used, it was certainly used a lot as the rifling is pretty worn. Slugging the bore it almost looks like the rifling on my metford barreled Lee Speed. The markings mentioned under the rear handguard, are they on the wood or the barrel? either way i'll grab photos of anything present.
 
The commercial rifle serial number would be stamped into the left side of the barrel just ahead of the receiver and just above the stock line. I would expect it to match the number under the butt plate.

Be very careful if removing the receiver from the stock. The ejector can take a chip out of the stock wood. Depress the ejector or leave the bolt in and closed while removing the receiver.
 
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So using the advice given, I've taken it completely apart. There is a small split that you can see in the photo of the rear handguard, along with a serial number. No serial on the top left or right of the barrel, however there appears to be one on the bottom. One on the back of the bolt, and one on the triggerguard/floorplate. I've added all the photos into the album. bluing under the wood is gorgeous.
Album Link:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/RKWx2YXGRCZxdjrN7
 
I am seeing the following numbers:
Floor plate - 2661
Underside of barrel - 3673
Handguard - 5973
Bolt - 1408
Under butt plate - 1456 with a possible "O" prefix or suffix
I do not believe any of the numbers, with the possible exception of the number under the butt plate, is a serial number. They may be assembly or lot numbers.

The serial numbers on sporting rifles and civilian Mk II** rifles are numeric, and are on the left side of the barrel and under the butt plate. I also have a civilian Mk II** butt plate that is serially numbered on the inside. I do not know how civilian versions of military rifles were numbered. According to TRRS, military rifles were serially numbered 1 to 1,000 prefixed by a letter or letters. Mk II rifles were issued in series A to Z and AA to CR. The information was stamped on the right side of the butt and consisted of the Ross logo, the mark, pattern, serial number and series and year of manufacture. Based on the above, one can surmise there would not be a serial number higher than 1,000 on a military Ross. That being the case, it is unlikely the number stamped under the butt plate would be a serial number, unless it followed a civilian numbering system. If it did follow the civilian numbering system, I would expect to also see the serial number on the barrel.

All of the above likely contributes little to the discussion. Perhaps a more knowledgeable member will step in.
 
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