Page 303 - 83-BOOK3

LOT 3599
Scarce Canadian Ross M-10 Straight Pull Sniper Rifle with Matching Model 1913 Warner & Swazey Scope and Scope Case - Serial no. NVSN, 303 British cal., 30 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This is one only 250 kits of the second run, in 1917, of the Ross Mark III sniper, making this a scarce rifle. It features hooded blade front sight and receiver peep sight. Top of receiver ring marked “ROSS RIFLE CO./CANADA/M-10/PATENTED” with Canadian proofmarks on the barrel and receiver. Receiver is also mounted with a side mount and Warner & Swasey Co. Telescopic Musket Sight (scope mount not numbered to scope). The stock is, however, marked “SCOPE/NO. 464” which matches the scope and scope case. The matching numbers are rare on these rifles and show that the whole kit has stayed together since it left the factory on its
way to the trenches of World War I. This configuration was also commonly used by snipers in the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. Smooth pistol grip stock with a smooth steel buttplate and scope number stamped on the left near the butt and is in the scarcely seen configuration with one barrel band and sniper altered half stock. This stock configuration is also rare because it is typically seen without an optic attached for use by marksmen fighting within close proximity to enemy positions. Includes leather scope case numbered to the scope and U.S. ordnance department manual for scope. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 40% original blue finish with handling marks and a smooth gray patina on the balance. The stock is very good as well with scattered dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. The scope retains 75% of the black finish and has hazy optics. It will likely take one a long time to find another Ross sniper which remains together as a full matching number kit with sniper altered half stock. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
Collector’s Fact
According to The Ross Rifle Story, only 250 sniper kits with a Warner & Swasey telescope were ordered, numbered between 0-500. Some examples have been observed altered, like this example, by the snipers.
THIS RIFLE HAS THE MATCHING SCOPE NUMBER MARKED ON THE BUTTSTOCK AND SCOPE CASE
LOT 3600
Presentation Inscribed Canadian Ross Model 1905 Straight Pull Bolt Action Trophy Rifle - Serial no. 9903, 303 British cal., 30 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Fitted with a hooded blade front sight, and a rear adjustable peep sight. This rifle features the standard “Ross Rifle Co. Quebec, Canada. 1905/PATENTED” marking on the receiver. Smooth pistol grip stock, with silver inscription circle marked “PRESENTED/BY THE/LAURENTIAN CHAPTER/OF THE/ I.O.D.E./TO/H.E. Graham/1914/ASHBURY COLLEGE”. This rifle may have been presented to Graham as a prize for winning the Daughters of Empire Cup for best outdoor shot at 200 yards or the Bate Cup for best shot at 200 and 500 yards. Graham is mentioned in The Ottawa Citizen on June 11, 1914 for his prowess at the college as a shooter. Other newspapers from the time show that he competed in multiple sports on the campus. CONDITION: Very fine as arsenal refinished, retaining 95% refinished blue finish with some scattered handling marks and some spotting on the magazine lever. The stock is fine with some dings, scratches, and an attractive patina on the inscription circle. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
301