BrianLara400*
22nd November 2014, 12:45 PM
My Great Big 1905 MkII** Ross Rifle Project. (....... Or how to build a Ross rifle from scratch because "Bubba" sporterised (bastardised) it long ago)
Recently picked up a 1905 MkII** Ross Rifle .303 that has at some time in its past been seriously "got at", and as a result there's an amount of work and (unobtainable) componentry required to get it back to something nearing its original condition.
The rifle is actually the "Target" variant, fitted with quite a rare BSA Martin micrometer rear sight, and would have been the same model that did so well @ Bisley in its day.
Heres some pics of roughly what it should look like when the whole thing is finished..... (Disclaimer these aren't my rifles, though I wish they were - these are reference/ inspiration pics ;) )
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/538/rHvckN.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/eyrHvckNj)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/743/zxgKJT.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/knzxgKJTj)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/540/LejyLq.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/f0LejyLqj)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1024x768q90/910/vhxqqv.png (https://imageshack.com/i/pavhxqqvp)
......but between now and then I've got to obtain some unobtainable trinkets :facepalm: :
[list]
- MkII** Nose Cap (to suit the heavier profile barrel)
(working on the bayo lug - see below)
- Rear sling swivel (working on this)
- Bolt that retains the middle barrel band
- MkII front sight assembly (Just need some dimensions for the sight hood)
- "Keeper Ferrule"
Now given there's not been a ross made in close to 100 years, and that these same items are the ones everyone seems to be looking for: I'm very realistic about the prospects of tracking some of these parts down - so I'll be looking to machine/fabricate any of those which I can't source in the meantime.
The first of those parts I've resorted to making is the serrated "keeper Ferrule" (not sure of the official Ross Nomenclature) that engages the twin front action screws of the MkII ross (assumedly to prevent the screws loosening under recoil) . Had been told these tiny little pieces are virtually unobtainium, and can certainly imagine these'd be the first item lost once a rifle's been disassembled a number of times and in reality its probably of questionable necessity to rifles machinations anyway.
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/661/jTwXpZ.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/idjTwXpZj)
Mill set up in horizontal guise with the dividing head
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/540/xdEEGk.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/f0xdEEGkj)
Close up of the machining details
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/673/5HbXfs.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/ip5HbXfsj)
Note: The split magazine box and twin front action screws (and serrated keeper) necessitated by the arm of the Harris follower being on the centre line of the action.
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/745/Lh3OMj.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/kpLh3OMjj)
The "Keeper" installed in its pocket, engaging the other screw heads.
The heads of these action screws are visibly mangled so if these can't be tidied up a bit, I may resort machining some replacements of these too (slippery slope, I know).
Now I'm not holding out much hope that anyone here is overly familiar with a Ross Rifle, but on the off chance I'd be eternally grateful for any expertise that may be lurking around the forum.
Don't suppose anyone knows the dimensions of the little bolt that holds the "keeper"?
Recently picked up a 1905 MkII** Ross Rifle .303 that has at some time in its past been seriously "got at", and as a result there's an amount of work and (unobtainable) componentry required to get it back to something nearing its original condition.
The rifle is actually the "Target" variant, fitted with quite a rare BSA Martin micrometer rear sight, and would have been the same model that did so well @ Bisley in its day.
Heres some pics of roughly what it should look like when the whole thing is finished..... (Disclaimer these aren't my rifles, though I wish they were - these are reference/ inspiration pics ;) )
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/538/rHvckN.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/eyrHvckNj)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/743/zxgKJT.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/knzxgKJTj)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/540/LejyLq.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/f0LejyLqj)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1024x768q90/910/vhxqqv.png (https://imageshack.com/i/pavhxqqvp)
......but between now and then I've got to obtain some unobtainable trinkets :facepalm: :
[list]
- MkII** Nose Cap (to suit the heavier profile barrel)
(working on the bayo lug - see below)
- Rear sling swivel (working on this)
- Bolt that retains the middle barrel band
- MkII front sight assembly (Just need some dimensions for the sight hood)
- "Keeper Ferrule"
Now given there's not been a ross made in close to 100 years, and that these same items are the ones everyone seems to be looking for: I'm very realistic about the prospects of tracking some of these parts down - so I'll be looking to machine/fabricate any of those which I can't source in the meantime.
The first of those parts I've resorted to making is the serrated "keeper Ferrule" (not sure of the official Ross Nomenclature) that engages the twin front action screws of the MkII ross (assumedly to prevent the screws loosening under recoil) . Had been told these tiny little pieces are virtually unobtainium, and can certainly imagine these'd be the first item lost once a rifle's been disassembled a number of times and in reality its probably of questionable necessity to rifles machinations anyway.
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/661/jTwXpZ.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/idjTwXpZj)
Mill set up in horizontal guise with the dividing head
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/540/xdEEGk.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/f0xdEEGkj)
Close up of the machining details
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/673/5HbXfs.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/ip5HbXfsj)
Note: The split magazine box and twin front action screws (and serrated keeper) necessitated by the arm of the Harris follower being on the centre line of the action.
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/745/Lh3OMj.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/kpLh3OMjj)
The "Keeper" installed in its pocket, engaging the other screw heads.
The heads of these action screws are visibly mangled so if these can't be tidied up a bit, I may resort machining some replacements of these too (slippery slope, I know).
Now I'm not holding out much hope that anyone here is overly familiar with a Ross Rifle, but on the off chance I'd be eternally grateful for any expertise that may be lurking around the forum.
Don't suppose anyone knows the dimensions of the little bolt that holds the "keeper"?