Ross MkII .303's ordered as Commercial rifles

Here is a rare category. Illustrated only in the first commercial catalog from from 1906, these rifles were built and finished to a higher standard than the military versions. Two rifles are pictured in this photo gallery and neither are serial numbered. And of course no miltary markings of any type. The first rifle was produced in 1906 and has the original MkII rear barrel sight. The receiver has and early Canada Tool Company base with the cammed recoil bolt through the stock with a scarce Canada Tool commercial peep sight mounted on the base. The rifle retains all the original trim, including the early MkI nosecap and the early narrow middle band with no provision for a sling swivel. The stacking swivel at the muzzle, the floorplate and butt swivels are all early "thin wire" swivels.

The next rifle is a commercial version of a MkII with MkIII sight from 1907 configured as the equivalent of the military version with multiple extra features. This version of the MkII is illustrated in the 1909 Ross Commercial catalog. The nosecaip is the standard MkII with with the wider middle band. All four swivels are the heavier 1907 updates and an original sling is also fitted. The receiver is fitted with the earliest version of the Canada Tool Co. base, without the cams on each end of the stock bolt. Commercially finished walnut stock. And finally, the rifle is also a presented rifle with the following engraved inscription on the buttplate: "Presented by The Alexandra Chapter - The Imperial Order of the Daughters of The Empire/ To Upper Canada College/ Won by H.W. Beck, 1910."

Research shows that this was Horace Wilford Beck's rifle and Upper Canada College was an independent boys school, Grade 1 to high school graduation. Young Beck was born in 1894 and was 14 years old when he entered the school and he was 16 when he won the rifle. After UCC, Beck attended the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario and received his commission on Nov. 12, 1915. In 1916 he was a Lieutenant with the Canadian Garrison