Beautiful US Marked 1907
Canadian Ross Rifle Bayonet with US Marked scabbard. The only issue with this
awesome piece is the missing bayonet lug release catch, button, and spring. I
purchased this item due to its non-modified condition, which can be quite uncommon
since a lot were modified into fighting knives in WW1 and WW2.
In 1908, 52,000 of the newly adopted Pattern 1908
(Mark 1 Ross) bayonets were ordered for use by the Canadian military with the
Ross rifles. The bayonet was 14.7” in overall length, with a 10”, hollow ground
“butcher knife” style blade.
By 1917 the Ross Rifle had all but been withdrawn
from Canadian military service. This removal from service happened at an
opportune time, as the United States had declared war on Germany and the
Central Powers and was gearing up for war. As the US military did not have
nearly enough rifles to arm the American Expeditionary Force troops that were
already embarking for Europe, let along for troop training purposes, alternate
sources for small arms were actively investigated. In October of 1917 the US
Ordnance Department started negotiations with the Canadian government to
purchase 20,000 Ross Rifles and Mark 1 Ross Rifle Bayonets for use by US troops
while training. On November 17, 1917, the deal was finalized, at the price of
$12.50 per rifle & bayonet, also including slings, scabbards and oil
bottles. For most of the next year, about half of these rifles and bayonets saw
service as training rifles at Camp Devens in Massachusetts, and Camp Sherman in
Ohio. The balance of the Ross rifles and bayonets were also issued to the New
York state guard for the protection of the state. By the end of 1918,
sufficient US Springfield and Model 1917 Enfield rifles were available for u
s by the US military, that the Ross rifle was
withdrawn from service.
The 20,000 Ross rifles and bayonets that were
obtained by the US during World War I were all marked with “US’ surcharges, as
well as the “Flaming Bomb” US Ordnance Department inspection stamp. Today these
guns and bayonets are rather scarce. Only 20,000 were acquired in the first
place, and many were sold for surplus after the war. More of the US purchased
rifles were returned to the Canadian’s for World War II use
The blade
is full length and looks to me that it retains its original factory edge, with
no additional sharpening. The obverse pommel cap is clearly marked in three
lines: ROSS RIFLE CO. / QUEBEC / PATENTED 1907 and the reverse
pommel cap is marked with: the Canadian “Broad Arrow” inspection mark (a circle
around a “Broad Arrow”), with the pattern reference 08, with a
small (CROWN) / 8 inspection mark and with the manufacturing
date 8-09 (August of 1909). The obverse grip panel is crisply
and clearly stamped U.S. and is surmounted by an equally crisp
US Ordnance Department (FLAMING BOMB) mark. The reverse grip
shows a (CROWN) / 10 Canadian inspection mark and other
numbers. The wood grips are in VERY Good condition and show
only the usual bumps, dings and minor impact marks from handling and light use.
The grips are free of any breaks, cracks or repairs and remain solid. The
bayonet is retained in its original, US marked Canadian Ross bayonet scabbard.
The scabbard is in Very Good condition. The
leather remains is fine, supple condition with tight stitching throughout. The
scabbard shows a number of original Canadian as well as American inspection
marks. The reverse tip of the scabbard is marked with: the Canadian “Broad
Arrow” inspection mark, faint inspector initials and manufacturing date,
as well as MK1. The upper part of front of the belt loop is also marked
with the Canadian “Broad Arrow”. The face of the frog is clearly stamped with
the letters U.S. surmounted by an equally clear US Ordnance
Department (FLAMING BOMB) mark.