ROSS RIFLE CO.
Designed in 1896 by Sir Charles Ross, this straight pull rifle was manufactured in a variety of styles. Due to problems with the bolt design, it never proved popular and was discontinued in 1915.
Mark I
This rifle was adopted by the Canadian military in 1903. Barrel length is 28". Chambered for .303 caliber with a “Harris Controlled Platform Magazine” that can be depressed by an external lever to facilitate loading. Magazine capacity is 5 rounds. Marked “ROSS RIFLE COM. QUEBEC CANADA” on left side of receiver. About 5,000 of these rifles were built.
Courtesy Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, Wyoming
Mark I Carbine
As above, with a 26" barrel without bayonet lug.
Mark II
Introduced in 1905 with a modified rear sight, longer handguard, no receiver bridge. Marked “ROSS RIFLE CO. QUEBEC CANADA 1905.”
NOTE: Some Ross Mk IIs were sold to the U.S. for training use during WWI. These will have a U.S. mark and ordnance bomb cartouche in the grip area behind the trigger guard. They do not seem to bring any more than unmarked examples.
Courtesy Paul S. Scarlata from
Mannlicher Military Rifles, Andrew Mobray Publishers
Mark III
Built between 1910 and 1916 with improved lockwork and stripper clip guides. Extended single column 5-round box magazine. Barrel length is 30". Marked “ROSS RIFLE CO.” over “CANADA” over “M10” on receiver ring. About 400,000 of these rifles were produced with about 67,000 sent to the British Army.
Mark III Ross rifle • Courtesy Paul S. Scarlata
Ross .22 single-shot rifle. Close-up of “broad arrow” on buttstock and receiver markings • Courtesy Stoddard Martial collection, Paul Goodwin photo
Canadian No. 4 Mk1 T “Long Branch” with original Lyman Alaskan scope set. Scope is mounted on a Griffin & Howe type base and mount. All numbers match on this rifle. Notice the broad arrow mark on the base of the top turret • Courtesy Michael Wamsher, Paul Goodwin photo
Canadian No. 4 Mk1 T “Long Branch” Sniper with original matching Canadian “R.E.L.” scope set (No. 32 Mk3). All numbers match on this rifle. Notice the broad arrow on the left side of the scope • Courtesy Michael Wamsher, Paul Goodwin photo
Bayonet for Ross Rifles
Courtesy Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, Wyoming
Mark III*
As above, with a magazine cutoff.
Bayonet for Ross Rifles
Wood handle. Muzzle ring. 10" single edge blade. The blade tip was recut after 1915 to make a sharper point. Leather scabbard. Some will be seen with U.S. markings, but they usually do not alter the value. Price range 150 – 75.
Ross Military Match Rifle
A .280 Ross or .303 caliber straight pull military-style rifle with a 30" barrel having peep sights. Blued with a walnut stock. Similar in appearance to the Mark III except for flush magazine with .280 version.
Ross Military Training Rifle
Chambered for the .22 caliber cartridge, this straight pull rifle is single shot only.
LEE ENFIELD
Long Branch
Rifle No. 4 Mark I & Mark I*
Same as the English No.4 Mk 1 in .303 British. 10 round detachable magazine. Some have walnut stocks. Serial numbers should appear on the receiver, bolt and fore stock. Slight premium over the English-made rifles.
Rifle No. 4 Mark I (T) & Mark I* (T)
These are sniper versions of the No. 4 Mark I and the Mark I*. Fitted with scope mounts on the left side of the receiver and a wooden cheekpiece screwed to the buttstock. A No. 32 or a No. 67 (Canadian) telescope was issued with these rifles. A few, estimated to be about 100, were fitted with U.S. Lyman scopes. Many of these rifles were converted by Holland & Holland. About 25,000 rifles using various telescopes were converted.
Winchester Model 1894 Carbine • Courtesy Rock Island Auction Company
NOTE: Prices
