Unusual Serial number on Ross Mark III?

M

Masseytech

New member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Outlook,Sk
About a dozen years ago I bought a Ross Mark III from a coworker. It had been cut down many years ago. The top of the barrel is marked E and has a serial number on it-PLY 4093. The bolt carrier is pinned to prevent misassembly. Another strange thing is that the 3 lugs on the RH or extractor side of the bolt head are broken or sheared off. I did some digging on the Canadian War Museum's web site and found a Mark III with the barrel marked PLY 2404. It still has the original serial number on the butt 907/1916 II. Was my Ross sporterized by some company?
 
E means the chamber has been reamed oversize to overcome the "tight chamber & overtolerance cartridge" problem. The serial #and year of manufacture was originally stamped on the right side of the butt. The PLY 4093 serial # was applied later by someone. It was quite likely sporterzed by a company who bought up surplus Ross from Crown Assets disposal. I have heard that some had the barrels shortened before issue to Cdn. Rangers, but am not sure that was correct. Someone else may be able to help you with the significance if the serial #. I am sure you know this, but don't shoot it with the broken bolt. You will likely be able to find a good bolt for it. I know where there was one a couple of weeks ago.
 
bushwhacker said:
E means the chamber has been reamed oversize to overcome the "tight chamber & overtolerance cartridge" problem. The serial #and year of manufacture was originally stamped on the right side of the butt. The PLY 4093 serial # was applied later by someone. It was quite likely sporterzed by a company who bought up surplus Ross from Crown Assets disposal. I have heard that some had the barrels shortened before issue to Cdn. Rangers, but am not sure that was correct. Someone else may be able to help you with the significance if the serial #. I am sure you know this, but don't shoot it with the broken bolt. You will likely be able to find a good bolt for it. I know where there was one a couple of weeks ago.
Click to expand...

I think bushwhacker is right about some being sporterized and issued to the rangers. I obtained one awhile back that has a 15** serial # and CRB stamp on the receiver. The barrel has been cut to 25". I managed to trace the recoil pad to a company in California that made that type in the 30's. Lot's of guys on this site know a lot about the Ross.
 
Last edited:
Ross

I personally believe CRB to be Canadian Reserve Battalion. Have had this on one of my Ross's and seen on several others. Have seen the term CRB, mentioned in some of the Canadian official history books on the CEF.
Geoff
 
longbranch* said:
I personally believe CRB to be Canadian Reserve Battalion. Have had this on one of my Ross's and seen on several others. Have seen the term CRB, mentioned in some of the Canadian official history books on the CEF.
Geoff
Click to expand...

Yes. I have also read that it stands for Canadian Railroad Battalion so don't know. The rangers are I believe in the reserve and some were issued the Ross. You would think someone would know for sure as it isn't all that long ago.
 
In "milsurps.com" website under the MkIII Ross, I added this concerning the CRB, which I think means Canadian Reserve Battalion. We need someone to spend a lot of research time in the Archives to settle this.

"3. In regards to the "CRB" marking on the Ross Rifles, I have done a little research which may duplicate what you already know, but I provide what I found for your perusal. On Wikepedia there is a listing of the Canadian Battalions in WW1 & WW2. The link provided is for the 5th Division, you can toggle to the other divisions from it.

5th Canadian Division

The 5th was broken up in England before ever embarking for the European continent. You will see that 15 of its battalions from the 13th, 14th & 15th Canadian Brigades were absorbed by different battalions of the CANADIAN RESERVE BATTALION (2nd to 23d). Only the Ist Pioneer Battalion of the 1st Canadian Division became the 9th Canadian Railway Battalion. I believe it was your conjecture that the CRB marking referred to WW2, but I wondered if as the Ross' were returned from the front they made their way to the 5th battalion which subsequently became various battalions of the Canadian Reserve Battalion? Is there any way of telling if the CRB marking predates the reaming of the chambers which I understand happened in WW2?"......... (Feedback by "Bushwacker")
 
Last edited:
Well - I also have a sported Ross with a PLY ###X stamped on the receiver ring, pinned bolt etc. I'd let someone have a good look at that rifle before shooting it with another bolt, sounds like the receiver threads are poorly machined.
 
Calling in from sunny Dixie.....The Ross being discussed has been in the tender care of likely more than one Bubba in past years....The "PLY###" marking surely wasn't added by Ross, but is likely something added by either a buyer or seller to uniquely identify an ex-Mil Ross that has had it's original Factory-applied serial removed- (this is a crime in itself, is it not?) The buggered bolt threads appear to be a one-off attempt to dewat the rifle to satisfy someone's urge to "think of the children..." or "if only one life is saved" sort of pap we hear from liberals over the years. No sense wasting time on it, other than replacing the bolt with an original one should someone have the desire to shoot it again. Certainly not collectible any more.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom