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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 few hundred were fitted with the full-length folding <i>Sight, Ross Mk I.</i> Before any were delivered, the sight was replaced with a shorter version graduated to 2200 yards rather than 2500 yards. Years later, this sight would be designated <i>Sight, Ross Mk I*</i>. Many weapons would have this replaced with the <i>Sight, Ross Mk II</i>, a curved sliding " | + | This was the first production military model Ross Rifle. The first few hundred were fitted with the full-length folding <i>Sight, Ross Mk I.</i> Before any were delivered, the sight was replaced with a shorter version graduated to 2200 yards rather than 2500 yards. Years later, this sight would be designated <i>Sight, Ross Mk I*</i>. Many weapons would have this replaced with the <i>Sight, Ross Mk II</i>, a curved sliding "Land Vizier" type. The barrel was 28 inch long, and the fore-stock ended 4 inches 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 trigger 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. The weapon was a straight-pull cock-on-close design. 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 re-purposed 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"/> | ||
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<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 30.5 inches, 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 desiginated <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II**</i> instead | + | 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 30.5 inches, 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 desiginated <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 28 inch barrel and the stylish older rear hand-guard. None of this model were newly manufactured. All were converted from <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II with Sight, Ross Mk III</i> or the later <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II<sup>4</sup>*</i> | + | 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 28 inch barrel and the stylish older rear hand-guard. None of this model were newly manufactured. All were converted from <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II with Sight, Ross Mk III</i> or the later <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II<sup>4</sup>*</i>. |
<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"/> | ||
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<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 inch barrel, sliding button safety, and magazine cut-off were retained | + | 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 inch barrel, sliding 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 incorporated the 30.5 inch barrel and flag safety of the <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II**</i>, taking that re-design much further. 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. A magazine cut-off was employed, but the design that lowered the magazine shell was discarded and replaced by one that restricted the rearward travel of the bolt. 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 multi-thread locking lugs. A new rear sight designated the <i>Ross Battle Aperture</i> was installed on the bridge of the receiver rather than on top of the barrel | + | For all practical purposes, the <i>Rifle, Ross Mk III</i> was an entirely new design. It incorporated the 30.5 inch barrel and flag safety of the <i>Rifle, Ross Mk II**</i>, taking that re-design much further. 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. A magazine cut-off was employed, but the design that lowered the magazine shell was discarded and replaced by one that restricted the rearward travel of the bolt. 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 multi-thread locking lugs. A new rear sight designated the <i>Ross Battle Aperture</i> was installed on the bridge of the receiver 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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*[[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. | ||
*[[United States]]<ref name="Canfield, Bruce N. 2000">{{cite book|last1=Canfield|first1=Bruce|title=U.S. Infantry Weapons of the First World War|date=2000|publisher=Mowbray|location=USA|isbn=0917218906}}</ref><ref name="Canfield, Bruce N. 2010">{{cite book|last1=Canfield|first1=Bruce|title=U.S. Military Bolt Action Rifles|date=2010|publisher=Mowbray|location=USA|isbn=1-931464-43-X}}</ref> The US purchased 20,000 Mk II<sup>3</sup>* for use as training rifles for [[World War I]]. | *[[United States]]<ref name="Canfield, Bruce N. 2000">{{cite book|last1=Canfield|first1=Bruce|title=U.S. Infantry Weapons of the First World War|date=2000|publisher=Mowbray|location=USA|isbn=0917218906}}</ref><ref name="Canfield, Bruce N. 2010">{{cite book|last1=Canfield|first1=Bruce|title=U.S. Military Bolt Action Rifles|date=2010|publisher=Mowbray|location=USA|isbn=1-931464-43-X}}</ref> The US purchased 20,000 Mk II<sup>3</sup>* for use as training rifles for [[World War I]]. | ||
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== Resources == | == Resources == | ||
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* Austerman, Wayne R., "Weapon That Failed" in ''Military History'', Vol. 7, No. 6, April 1991 (Stivers Publishing) | * Austerman, Wayne R., "Weapon That Failed" in ''Military History'', Vol. 7, No. 6, April 1991 (Stivers Publishing) | ||
* Bodinson, Holt, "Sir Charles Ross and His Straight Pulls" ''Guns'', Vol. 58, No. 11, Issue 682, November 2012 (Publisher Development Corp.) | * Bodinson, Holt, "Sir Charles Ross and His Straight Pulls" ''Guns'', Vol. 58, No. 11, Issue 682, November 2012 (Publisher Development Corp.) | ||
− | |||
* Canadian Military Publication, ''Handbook For The Canadian Service Rifle, Ross Mk III, 1913 Pt I'' (Government Printing Bureau, Ottawa, HQ 70-55-41 89514-I-1, Reprinted on-demand by Cornell Publications) | * Canadian Military Publication, ''Handbook For The Canadian Service Rifle, Ross Mk III, 1913 Pt I'' (Government Printing Bureau, Ottawa, HQ 70-55-41 89514-I-1, Reprinted on-demand by Cornell Publications) | ||
* Canadian Military Publication, ''Handbook For The Canadian Service Rifle, Ross Mk III, 1913 Pt II'' (Government Printing Bureau, Ottawa, HQ 70-55-41 37765-II-1, Reprinted on-demand by Cornell Publications) | * Canadian Military Publication, ''Handbook For The Canadian Service Rifle, Ross Mk III, 1913 Pt II'' (Government Printing Bureau, Ottawa, HQ 70-55-41 37765-II-1, Reprinted on-demand by Cornell Publications) | ||
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* Knap, Jerome, "The Saga of the Ross Rifle" in ''Guns & Ammo'', Vol. 20, No. 6, June 1976 (Petersen Publishing) | * Knap, Jerome, "The Saga of the Ross Rifle" in ''Guns & Ammo'', Vol. 20, No. 6, June 1976 (Petersen Publishing) | ||
* Nesbit, Roy Conyers,''Arctic Airmen'' (Kimber, London, 1987) | * Nesbit, Roy Conyers,''Arctic Airmen'' (Kimber, London, 1987) | ||
− | * Paddock, Howard P., ''Description and Management of the Ross Rifle .303 Military Model'' (Tenth Infantry, NYG, Albany, New york, 1918 | + | * Paddock, Howard P., ''Description and Management of the Ross Rifle .303 Military Model'' (Tenth Infantry, NYG, Albany, New york, 1918) |
* Phillips, Roger F., Dupuis, François J., and Chadwick, John A., ''The Ross Rifle Story'' (J. A. Chadwick,1984, Reprinted by Leonard, Michael W. 2002, ISBN 0973241608) | * Phillips, Roger F., Dupuis, François J., and Chadwick, John A., ''The Ross Rifle Story'' (J. A. Chadwick,1984, Reprinted by Leonard, Michael W. 2002, ISBN 0973241608) | ||
− | * Phillips, Roger F., Knap, Jerome, | + | * Phillips, Roger F., Knap, Jerome, "Sir Charles Ross And His Rifle" (Museum Restoration Service, ISBN 0919316115) |
* Rawlings, Bill. ''Trench Warfare: Technology and the Canadian Corps 1914–1918''. (University of Toronto Press, 1992). | * Rawlings, Bill. ''Trench Warfare: Technology and the Canadian Corps 1914–1918''. (University of Toronto Press, 1992). | ||
* Ross Rifle Company Publication, ''The Ross Rifle Catalogue 1912'' (Ross Rifle Company, Reprinted on-demand by Cornell Publications) | * Ross Rifle Company Publication, ''The Ross Rifle Catalogue 1912'' (Ross Rifle Company, Reprinted on-demand by Cornell Publications) | ||
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* Scarlata, Paul, "The Canadian Ross Striaght-Pull Military Rifles" in ''Man at Arms'', Vol. 21, No. 2, March/April 1999 (NRA, Reprinted as "The Remarkable Ross" in ''Gun Digest'', 68th Edition, 2014, Krause Publications, ISBN 1-4402-3542-2) | * Scarlata, Paul, "The Canadian Ross Striaght-Pull Military Rifles" in ''Man at Arms'', Vol. 21, No. 2, March/April 1999 (NRA, Reprinted as "The Remarkable Ross" in ''Gun Digest'', 68th Edition, 2014, Krause Publications, ISBN 1-4402-3542-2) | ||
* Schreier, Konrad F. Jr., "The Redoubtable Ross Rifle" in ''Guns & Ammo'', Vol. 18, No. 11, November 1974 (Petersen Publishing) | * Schreier, Konrad F. Jr., "The Redoubtable Ross Rifle" in ''Guns & Ammo'', Vol. 18, No. 11, November 1974 (Petersen Publishing) | ||
+ | * Silva, Lee A., "The Scandal of the Ross Rifle" in ''The Gun Report'', Vol. 29, No. 9, Februar 1984 (World Wide Gun Report Inc.) | ||
* Stent, H. V., "The Ross Rifle Ruckus" in ''Guns'', Vol. 4, No. 5-41, May 1958 (Publisher Development Corp.) | * Stent, H. V., "The Ross Rifle Ruckus" in ''Guns'', Vol. 4, No. 5-41, May 1958 (Publisher Development Corp.) | ||
* Stent, H. V., "Sir Charles Ross Controversial Rifles and Cartridges" in ''Rifle'', Vol 16, No. 4, Issue 94, July/August 1984 (Wolfe Publishing) | * Stent, H. V., "Sir Charles Ross Controversial Rifles and Cartridges" in ''Rifle'', Vol 16, No. 4, Issue 94, July/August 1984 (Wolfe Publishing) |