Looking for a Beater Ross Mk III

Does anyone have a beater Ross Mk III (aka Ross M1910) rifle in the US that they would be willing to sell? The poorer the condition the better, as long is it’s in firing condition. Ideally, I’d like to find one that’s bee sporterized and has no finish left. It does have the be the Mk III version, though, which is the one with the magazine protruding out the bottom of the action:

Ross MkIII
Ross MkIII

If you have one you wouldn’t mind selling, please let me know. Thanks!

22 Comments

    • Um…this is a bit awkward. Yes, I would love to try my hand at making a Huot one of these days, but what I actually have in mind for this is seeing what’s actually involved in getting one to fire unlocked by mis-assembling the bolt. I want a beater because if all goes according to plan, the video will culminate in it exploding.

  1. I have one that is not pretty and has the safety pin installed in the bolt. It is a sporter and shoots well.
    Contact me @ 908 358 7879. Must go to FFL, Andy

  2. I am also looking for a non-sporterized Ross .303 WWI version all matching numbers and maybe + bayonet & scabbard.
    Would also like to get the MAS36 spike bayonet.
    Anyone know of a source for the above?
    Regards

  3. I have a MkIII, but I wouldn’t part with it.. it has won me more Tin than anything ese..

    There is no mystery about the unlocked breech trick.. The bolt head is under clockwise tension when you put the bolt into the rifle. The head should be about 1″ forward of the face of the bolt carrier when the bolt is open.

    If, when tensioning the bolt head before putting it into the rifle, you force the rotation of the head past the extractor, it will snap back into the bolt carrier with the head at 90 degrees from where it started. (You can also achieve this state by assembling the bolt wrongly).

    It is then possible to chamber a round and close the bolt, however the bolt head will not rotate in the breech and lock the action. It is then possible, if there is sufficient resistence in the action for the striker to cock and be released on an unlocked breech. If you are lucky, the bolt head will move back and there will be insufficient strike to initiaite the cap…. on the other hand if you have managed to jam the breech sufficiently to tension the striker, then probably your luck is out, and you have just made your rifle into a humane killer..

    The safety check for a MkIII Ross is to look for the 1″ of polished metal between the bolt head and the bolt carrier when the bolt is fitted and the breech is open..

  4. Why blow up the rifle? Why not just use a cartridge that has just a primer & no powder or bullet? That way you’d know if it fired, but wouldn’t ruin a gun.

    • Using a primed case will be an intermediate step, but part of what I want to see (and get on video) is what actually happens if you fire a live round with the bolt unlocked. If possible, I’m going to get some ballistics gel behind the stock, too.

  5. I’m not sure what it takes to import a gun into the States (I know getting one out is a long / expensive process), but here in Canada sportered Mk.IIIs are very common and can be had for about $150. If that helps you any I’d be willing to look around and see if I could help you locate one.

    Sounds like an interesting video, I’d definitely be curious to see it.

  6. To Andrew Marcell
    Andrew, I tried calling you a couple of times but no one picked-up.
    Was the MAS36 bayonet sent as you mentioned?
    If so, it has not arrived.
    Hope you are well.
    VR
    Regards PMC

    ps
    ALL
    I am still looking for a non-sporterized Ross .303 WWI version all matching numbers and maybe + bayonet & scabbard.

  7. I just purchased a 1905 Mark II Ross army model.
    It does not have any serial number and appears not to have been in the US military system.
    I got to replace the stock as it is sanded, bleached, and has someone’s initials etched near to the butt plate.
    Does anyone know a source for stocks for this gun or some company that can use my stock as a template to cut a new stock out of quality wood?
    Regards

  8. If you’re still looking for a MK III let me know. I have one that I am willing to part with if the price is right.

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