Ross Rifle Mk III
Ross Rifle Company · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1911
Also known as: Rifle, Ross, Mark III, Model 1910 Ross, Ross M-10
Overview
The Ross Rifle Mk III (Model 1910) is a Canadian straight-pull bolt-action service rifle designed by Sir Charles Ross and chambered in .303 British. Introduced in 1911 and issued to the Canadian Expeditionary Force at the outbreak of WWI, the Mk III featured exceptional target accuracy thanks to its tight chamber tolerances and long 711 mm barrel. However, those same tight tolerances made it prone to jamming when fouled with mud or used with thicker British wartime ammunition. By 1916 the Canadian Corps had largely replaced the Ross with the Lee-Enfield, though Canadian snipers continued to favour it for its accuracy through the end of the war.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3900 g (137.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1320 mm (51.97") |
| Barrel Length | 711 mm (27.99") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 792 m/s (2598 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3540 J (2611 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 550 m (601 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2400 m (2625 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 15 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Left Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .303 British · primary — also known as .303, 7.7x56mmR, .303 Mk VII
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Stripper Clip, Internal Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Straight Pull Bolt, Charger Loading, Iron Sights, Match Grade Accuracy
Variants
- Ross Rifle Mk II — Earlier Model
- Ross Rifle Mk III Sniper — Sniper
Service history
Operators
- Canadian Expeditionary Force · adopted 1911 · as Rifle, Ross, Mark III
- Royal Northwest Mounted Police
- British Home Guard · adopted 1940
Conflicts
- World War I (1914-1918)
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 420,000 · Production years: 1911-1918
All Ross rifle marks combined; Mk III dominated wartime production until withdrawal in 1916.
Origin
Country of origin: Canada
Designer: Sir Charles Ross
Discontinued: 1916
Notes
The Mk III's bolt could be reassembled incorrectly so that the locking lugs failed to engage - a defect that caused several severe injuries in the trenches.
Background
Canadian soldiers in the trenches of Ypres famously discarded their jammed Ross rifles in favor of Lee-Enfields scavenged from British dead - a national scandal that led to the Ross's official replacement and contributed to the political downfall of Defence Minister Sam Hughes, the rifle's chief champion.