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==Military variants== | ==Military variants== | ||
<b>Rifle, Ross Mk I</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | <b>Rifle, Ross Mk I</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | ||
− | This was the first production military model Ross Rifle. The first | + | This was the first production military model Ross Rifle. The first 500 (made for Fish & Game) were fitted with the full-length folding <i>Sight, Ross Mk I.</i> Before any were deliverd, this was replaced with the a shorter version graduated to only 2200 yards rather than 2500 yards. Years later, this sight would be designated <i>Sight, Ross Mk I*</i>. Later, many would have this replaced with the <i>Sight, Ross Mk II</i>, a curved sliding type. The barrel was 28 in long, and the fore-stock ended 4in short of the muzzle. The front band had a bayonet lug. The safety was operated by a square sliding button on the rear of the bolt handle. The magazine cut-off was on the lower right of the magazine protruding through the stock, and pressing it down engaged the cut-off. The magazine cut-off release was inside the front of the tigger guard, and depressing it would disengage the cut-off. A large lever was on the right side which was used to depress the magazine follower for "dump loading" all five rounds at once. There was a sliding trap in the butt-stock for cleaning tools. A total of 10,500 were manufactured. A number of the original 500 were repurposed as training rifles and fitted with longer front barrel bands used on later production <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II</i>. This was done so they could more easily endure the stress of constant bayonet practice. |
<b>Carbine, Ross Mk I</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | <b>Carbine, Ross Mk I</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | ||
− | The RNWMP purchased 1000 shorter versions of the <i>Rifle, Ross Mk I</i>. The main difference was the barrel | + | The RNWMP purchased 1000 shorter versions of the <i>Rifle, Ross Mk I</i>. The main difference was the barrel lenght of 26in. The full stock of the rifle was retained, and the barrel projected only 2 inches past the fore-stock. As presented for inspection, the carbines used the shorter version of the <i>Sight, Ross Mk I</i>. However, at the inspector's request, the weapons were delivered fitted with <i>Sight, Ross Mk II</i>. |
<b>Rifle, Ross Mk I*</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | <b>Rifle, Ross Mk I*</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | ||
− | This designation was a 1909 re-designation of those <i>Rifles, Ross Mk I</i> that had been fitted with the <i>Sight, Ross Mk II</i>. | + | This designation was (according to available sources) a 1909 re-designation of those <i>Rifles, Ross Mk I</i> that had been fitted with the <i>Sight, Ross Mk II</i>. |
<b>Rifle, Ross Mk II / Rifle, Ross Mk II with Sight, Ross Mk II</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | <b>Rifle, Ross Mk II / Rifle, Ross Mk II with Sight, Ross Mk II</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | ||
− | After various complaints | + | After various complaints, the weapon was re-designed to address the issues. The most noticable change was the replacement of the side-mounted magazine cut-off control and trigger-guard mounted cut-off release with a single hook shaped control inside the front trigger guard that performed both functions. The safety was similar, but the slideer was moved by pushing a round button. Changes were introduced in production without change in designation until the introduction of the <i>Sight, Ross Mk III</i> when the nomenclature of the earlier rifles was expanded to <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II with Sight, Ross Mk II</i>. |
<b>Rifle, Ross Mk II with Sight, Ross Mk III</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | <b>Rifle, Ross Mk II with Sight, Ross Mk III</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | ||
− | <i>Sight, Ross Mk II</i> proved more fragile than desired, and it was replaced with a simpler version | + | <i>Sight, Ross Mk II</i> proved more fragile than desired, and it was replaced with a simpler version. The offical nomenclature for this model was <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II with Sight, Ross Mk III</i>. Further improvements were incorporated in this model without bothering to change the designation. |
<b>Rifle, Ross Mk II*</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | <b>Rifle, Ross Mk II*</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | ||
− | In early 1909 it was decided to adapt the <i>Rifle Ross Mk II with Sight, Ross Mk II</i> for cadet use, doing full maintenance and upgrading components to later production changes | + | In early 1909 it was decided to adapt the <i>Rifle Ross Mk II with Sight, Ross Mk II</i> for cadet use, doing full maintenance and upgrading components to later production changes. 5,800 weapons were so converted from late 1909 to mid 1910. The weapons were designated <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II*</i>. This designation identified specific conversions of older weapons and did not reflect changes to new production. |
<b>Rifle, Ross Mk II**</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | <b>Rifle, Ross Mk II**</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | ||
− | Development of this weapon began in the spring of 1908, and the planned designation was <i>Rifle, Ross Mk III</i>. This model was intended as a major improvement over the previous <i>Rifle, Ross Mark II with Sight, Ross Mk III</i>. The barrel length was extended to 30. | + | Development of this weapon began in the spring of 1908, and the planned designation was <i>Rifle, Ross Mk III</i>. This model was intended as a major improvement over the previous <i>Rifle, Ross Mark II with Sight, Ross Mk III</i>. The barrel length was extended to 30.5in, the rear hand-guard was simplified, the safety was replaced by a completely new flag-type safety, and the rear sight was changed to the third-party <i>Sight, Sutherland Mk I</i>. The magazine cut-off was dispensed with entirely. By the time it was ready to be produced in numbers, an even more radical design change was in the works to become the Mk III, and this model was desginated <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II**</i> instead. |
<b>Rifle, Ross Mk II<sup>3</sup>*</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | <b>Rifle, Ross Mk II<sup>3</sup>*</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | ||
− | This rifle was an adaptation of the <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II</i> to use the <i>Sight, Sutherland Mk II</i>. Some internal improvements were made as well. The original sliding button safety and the magazine cut-off were retained, along with the | + | This rifle was an adaptation of the <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II</i> to use the <i>Sight, Sutherland Mk II</i>. Some internal improvements were made as well. The original sliding button safety and the magazine cut-off were retained, along with the 28in barrel and the stylish older rear handguard. None of this model were newly manufactured. Instead, <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II with Sight, Ross Mk III</i> and the later <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II<sup>4</sup>*</i> were converted to this model. |
<b>Rifle, Ross Mk II<sup>4</sup>*</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | <b>Rifle, Ross Mk II<sup>4</sup>*</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | ||
− | This rifle was a simple upgrade of the last 4000 manufactured <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II with Sight, Ross Mk III</i> to include the new larger extractor introduced with the <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II**</i>. The 28 | + | This rifle was a simple upgrade of the last 4000 manufactured <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II with Sight, Ross Mk III</i> to include the new larger extractor introduced with the <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II**</i>. The 28 in barrel, stylish rear hand-guard, slidng button safety, and magazine cut-off were retained. They were completed in the early summer of 1910, then all 4000 were immediately converted into <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II<sup>3</sup>*</i>. |
<b>Rifle, Ross Mk II<sup>5</sup>*</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | <b>Rifle, Ross Mk II<sup>5</sup>*</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | ||
− | The last of the Mk II line would be produced using the <i>Sight, Sutherland Mk I</i> and simplified rear hand-guard of the <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II**</i>. The 28 | + | The last of the Mk II line would be produced using the <i>Sight, Sutherland Mk I</i> and simplified rear hand-guard of the <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II**</i>. The 28 in barrel, slidng button safety, and magazine cut-off were retained. |
<b>Rifle, Ross Mk III</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | <b>Rifle, Ross Mk III</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | ||
− | For all practical purposes, the <i>Rifle, Ross Mk III</i> was an entirely new design. It | + | For all practical purposes, the <i>Rifle, Ross Mk III</i> was an entirely new design. It retained the 30.5in barrel and flag safety of the <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II**</i>. The internal double-stack magazine was replaced with an exposed single-stack magazine. The "dump loading" lever was gone, and a charger guide was added for loading with stripper clips. The magazine cut-off that lowered the magazine shell (and cartridges contained) was eliminated and replaced by one that restricted the rearward movement of the bolt forward of the cartridge base. The bolt-stop plunger was replaced by a flag lever with 3 positions (cut-off enabled, bolt release, cut-off disabled). The bolt was far sturdier and had locking threads instead of locking lugs. A new rear sight designated the <i>Ross Battle Aperture</i> was installed on the bridge of the reciever rather than on top of the barrel. |
<b>Rifle, Ross Mk IIIB</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | <b>Rifle, Ross Mk IIIB</b><ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/> | ||
− | The British government chose to purchased a version of the <i>Rifle, Ross Mk III</i> with a far simpler rear sight known as the <i>War Office Pattern Sight</i> | + | The British government chose to purchased a version of the <i>Rifle, Ross Mk III</i> with a far simpler rear sight known as the <i>War Office Pattern Sight</i>. |
− | Note: A <i>Rifle, Ross Mk III*</i> may have existed, employing a strengthened action, new front barrel band, and different front sight. | + | Note: A <i>Rifle, Ross Mk III*</i> may have existed, employing a strengthened action, new front barrel band, and different front sight. One source mentioning it considers the designation dubious.<ref name="Hogg p177">Hogg and Weeks 2000, p. 177.</ref> |
==Military redesignations== | ==Military redesignations== | ||
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In 1912, all military variants were redesignated as follows:<ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/><ref name="Duguid, Col. A.F. 1999">Duguid, Col. A.F. ''A Question of Confidence; The Ross Rifle in the Trenches" ([[Service Publications]], 1999).</ref> | In 1912, all military variants were redesignated as follows:<ref name="Phillips, J. 2005"/><ref name="Duguid, Col. A.F. 1999">Duguid, Col. A.F. ''A Question of Confidence; The Ross Rifle in the Trenches" ([[Service Publications]], 1999).</ref> | ||
− | <i>Rifle, Ross Mk I</i> and <i>Rifle, Ross Mk I | + | <i>Rifle, Ross Mk I</i> and <i>Rifle, Ross Mk I</i> became <i>Rifle, G.P. Ross</i> (G.P. meaning general purpose). |
<i>Rifle, Ross Mk II with Sight, Ross Mk II</i> and <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II*</i> became <i>Rifle, Cadet, Ross</i>. | <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II with Sight, Ross Mk II</i> and <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II*</i> became <i>Rifle, Cadet, Ross</i>. | ||
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== Users == | == Users == | ||
*[[Canada]]<ref>Berton, Pierre. '' Vimy''. Anchor Canada: 2001.</ref> | *[[Canada]]<ref>Berton, Pierre. '' Vimy''. Anchor Canada: 2001.</ref> | ||
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*[[Luxembourg]]<ref>[http://www.mnhm.lu/pageshtml/virtualmuseumtour.php GRAND-DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG]</ref> Issued to the Grand Ducal Guard in 1945, replaced by [[Lee–Enfield]] in the same year. | *[[Luxembourg]]<ref>[http://www.mnhm.lu/pageshtml/virtualmuseumtour.php GRAND-DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG]</ref> Issued to the Grand Ducal Guard in 1945, replaced by [[Lee–Enfield]] in the same year. | ||
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*[[United Kingdom]]<ref name="Hogg p175">Hogg and Weeks 2000, p. 175.</ref> – issued to the Royal Navy to free up Lee–Enfields for land use. | *[[United Kingdom]]<ref name="Hogg p175">Hogg and Weeks 2000, p. 175.</ref> – issued to the Royal Navy to free up Lee–Enfields for land use. | ||
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== Resources == | == Resources == | ||
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== References == | == References == | ||
− | * | + | * Phillips, Roger F., François J. Dupuis and John A. Chadwick, ''The Ross Rifle Story'' (ISBN 0973241608) |
− | + | * "Huot", in Bernard Fitzsimons (general editor), ''The Encyclopedia of Twentieth Century Weapons and Warfare'' (Phoebus/BBC, 1978), Volume 13, page 1385. | |
− | + | * Duguid, A. Fortescue ''A Question of Confidence'' (Service Publications, 2002) | |
− | + | * Hogg, Ian V. and John S. Weeks. ''Military Small Arms of the 20th Century''. Seventh edition, Iola, WI, USA: Krause Publications, 2000. ISBN 0-87341-824-7. | |
− | + | * Phillips, R., Knap, J. Jerome, "Sir Charles Ross And His Rifle" (ISBN 0919316115) | |
− | + | * "Handbook For The Canadian Service Rifle, Ross Mk III, 1913 Pt I and II" HQ 70-55-41 – 37765-11-1 | |
− | + | * "The Ross Rifle Sporting Catalogue 1909" Cornell Publications | |
− | + | * "The Ross Rifle Catalogue 1912" Cornell Publications | |
− | * | + | * "Arctic Airmen" Kimber London 1987 |
− | + | *Rawlings, Bill. ''Trench Warfare: Technology and the Canadian Corps 1914–1918''. (University of Toronto Press, 1992). | |
− | + | *Walter, John, ''Rifles of the World'' third edition (Krause Publications, Inc. 2006) (ISBN 0-89689-241-7). | |
− | + | *Hamilton, Douglas T., "Manufacturing the Ross Rifle and Press-Button Knife" in ''Machinery Magazine, October, 1911'' (Reprinted by Lindsay Publications Inc. 2006, ISBN 1-55918-344-6). | |
− | * Duguid, | + | *Austerman, Wayne R., "Weapon that Failed" in ''Military History, April, 1991'' (Stivers Pubishing, 1991). |
− | + | *Scarlata, Paul, "The Canadian Ross Straight-Pull Military Rifles" in ''Man at Arms, April 1999'' (National Rifle Association) | |
− | + | *Carlyle, Randolph, "Our National Arm" in ''The Canadian Magazine, Vol.XXXI, May 1908 - October 1908, inclusive'' (The Ontario Publishing Co. Limited, 1908) | |
− | * Hogg, Ian | + | *''Official Report of the Debates of the House of Commons of the Dominion of Canada, Fourt Session - Tenth Parliament 7-8 Edward VII 1907-1908, Vol. LXXXVI, 12 May - 10 Jun 1908, inclusive'' (S.E. Dawson, Printer). |
− | * Knap, Jerome, " | + | *Bodinson, Holt, "Sir Charles Ross and His Straight Pulls" in ''Guns Magazine, November, 2012'' (Publishers Development Corporation, 2012) |
− | * | + | *Crossman, Edward C., "The Rifle of My Dreams" in ''Arms and the Man'' magazine (Reprinted by Ross Rifle Company in ''The Ross Rifle'' 1912) |
− | * | + | *Stent, H. V., "Ross Rifle Ruckus" in ''Guns Magazine, May 1958'' (Guns Magazine, Skokie Il, 1958) |
− | * | + | *Scarlata, Paul, "The Remarkable Ross" om ''Gun Digest, 68th edition (F+W Media, 2014, ISBN 1-4402-3542-2) |
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− | * Rawlings, Bill. ''Trench Warfare: Technology and the Canadian Corps 1914–1918''. (University of Toronto Press, 1992). | + | |
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== External links == | == External links == | ||
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* [http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/weapons/rifles.htm?title=Bayonets Ross Bayonets at www.canadiansoldiers.com] | * [http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/weapons/rifles.htm?title=Bayonets Ross Bayonets at www.canadiansoldiers.com] | ||
* [http://www.rossrifle.com/ RossRifle.com] | * [http://www.rossrifle.com/ RossRifle.com] | ||
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* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaSui_UqDX8 Forgotten Weapons – Myth and Reality of the Ross MkIII Rifle] | * [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaSui_UqDX8 Forgotten Weapons – Myth and Reality of the Ross MkIII Rifle] | ||
* [https://canadaatwarblog.wordpress.com/2015/04/21/cefs-ross-rifle-fiasco-responsible-for-countless-of-casualties-fact-or-myth/ "CEF’s Ross Rifle Fiasco, Responsible For Countless Of Casualties Fact or Myth!"] Canada at War Blog, [[April 21]], [[2015]]. | * [https://canadaatwarblog.wordpress.com/2015/04/21/cefs-ross-rifle-fiasco-responsible-for-countless-of-casualties-fact-or-myth/ "CEF’s Ross Rifle Fiasco, Responsible For Countless Of Casualties Fact or Myth!"] Canada at War Blog, [[April 21]], [[2015]]. |