Special Order and Presentation Ross rifles

The first rifle pictures - page 1 - first 9 photos is a presentation M-10. It has and as an unusual feature, it is fitted with a MkI rear sight. This is a presentation rifle and the floorplate is marked: 32nd MANITOBA HORSE
WON BY
BERT WISE
BEST SHOT, 1914
Also included is a scan describing the Manitoba Horse along with Albert Wise's Statement of Service. Bert was born in 1896 which would make him 18 when he won Manitoba Horse. He enlisted in the CEF in 1916 and his original unit was the 222nd Overseas Infantry Battalion. He was sent to the front on May 4th, 1918 with the 44th Overseas Infantry Bettalion. He was killed in action on September 27, 1918. Also with the rifle are a series of documents including, "Particulars of Recruit"; "Attestation Paper"; "Form OF WILL"; "Medical History Sheet"; "Casualty Form -- Active Service" and the, "VIMY MEMORIAL" documentation.

Bert's occupation is listed as, "farmer" and one can only imagine the pride he felt in winning the Manitoba Horse and being presented with a fine presentation Ross .280. A sad ending for a young lad.

The next rifle pictured (next page of photos - 9 photos) is a very special one of a kind R-10 heavy barreled carbine.. The barrel is 22 inches and there is a tip-up foresight hood and a sleeve mounted military rear sight. This is the only R-10 I have ever encountered with a three position bolt stop with the third position being "up" which enables a magazine cut-off feature. The carbine is marked, "RMB" and was custom built for Major Robert M. Blair. Blair was the Inspector provided by the Canadian Government to the Ross plant. He is pictured on page 357 of the Ross Rifle Story firing a Ross-Huot automatic rifle. Blair is noteworthy for conducting an investigation in June, 1916 where he discovered the bolt stop design defect with the MkIII, the main cause of jamming.

Third rifle (pictures 19 -32) is a Military Presentation MkII** Commercial Target rifle