doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Ross M1900/03 Transitional Sporter

Here is a very rare one. As you can see, the receiver is Hartford, Connecticut marked. The barrel is Lancaster marked and the receiver is British proofed. The Ross Rifle Story indicates that possibly 150 of these were made. I believe this is the only one known in .256 Mannlicher caliber. Other chamberings for this model were the .303 British and .370 Express. By the way, for the Prince of Wales grip fans, notice the very shallow version of this. Also, note the lack of hole in the donut (bolt handle). And finally, note the Harris lever (magazine depressor). Anyone else have one of these or know where one is?

Neat rifle. How does she shoot?

Thanks for the compliment, but sorry, I'm not one of these guys who has to shoot everything he owns. I haven't shot this one and this is typical for me.

Boltman,

When you call this a transitional rifle, was it the transition from military to sporting? This is the only Ross you have shown with a military looking hand guard piece around the rear sight.

Also, which is the Harris lever, A or B. What is the one that is not the Harris lever?

Grogel - I'll bet if this was a Savage, you wouldn't be asking these technical questions ;). The front lever is the "Harris lever" which you press down as you load the magazine. It takes the pressure off so you can drop them easily. The lever by the trigger is a magazine cut-off. You click that and it hold the cartridges down so the rifle can be single-loaded and as you cycle the bolt, the top cartridge isn't stripped off. The "transition" aspect of this rifle is not related to a transition to military. Rather, it is a transition from the M1900 action to the M1903 action. When I get a chance, I will post pictures of a M1903 actioned sporter (made in Quebec).

Well, if you haven't shot it, what was their reputation back when they were actively used? Looks like a light,handy rifle to carry around and if everything else was "up to snuff"....

I don't think there were enough of these rifles made for them to have a reputation. But yes, it is a light handy rifle that has the unfortunate burden of being very "collectable." The .256 Mannlicher cartridge was a fine deer size animal cartridge and for the times, was quite the high velocity number. Even for today, it would be a fine little cartridge. I know many consider it sad if not a travesty that this rifle will likely never go hunting again. And then there's the other camp that would consider it a travesty for it to be carried in the field again.

Yes, there is no replacing vintage equipment once it is used up or damaged.I understand why you don't shoot it.

The .256 Mannlicher was the rimmed counterpart of the 6.5x54 Mannlicher-Schoenauer.

Mark, this rifle is marked, "6.5 M/M 256 RIMLESS" I see in the Ross Rifle Story, they list this model rifle as having been chambered in .256 Mannlicher. As it is a rimless case, I am sure is is chambered in the 6.5 x 54 Mannlicher-Schoenauer. That cartridge was designed in 1900. This rifle was made in 1902, I believe. As Sir Charles was very future-minded, it would make sense he would choose a new and recently developed cartridge.