mawkie
C&R Whisperer
-My previous encounters with Rock Island Auction have been less than stellar, prompting me to stay away from their offerings for a good 15 years or more. Up to now there was nothing to tempt me to stray from my abstinence. Then last month RIA puts up 4 rare Ross rifles and 3 of them have nothing but vanilla descriptions, they have zero clue as to what they were (guessing a savvy Ross collector passed and nobody knew what was in his collection when they consigned them).
-I go through them and am instantly drawn to the 2nd lot, a Ross MKII 2* Commercial target rifle with the long 30" barrel. Sporting a pair of Eric Pilblad designed sights built by Canada Tool & Specialty of New Glasgow NS and British proof marks. So this puppy was sold and exported to England at some point in its 110 year life. I'm guessing straight from the factory pre-WWI, when the Ross rifle ruled British shooting matches.
-The first Ross, a stupid rare 1905-1910 Match Target chambered in .280 Ross, sells light, $2400. Perhaps because the even rarer sights are missing. Yet I've only seen one of these anywhere up to now so I'm thinking the next lot could sell reasonably, doesn't seem to be much interest in the room or online.
-Then the MKII 2* comes up and the opening bid is in the room @ $1400. I place one counter bid and it's mine. I'm thrilled because even with another $6oo worth of MD sales tax, 21.5% premium, shipping and a crazy $45 "live bidding fee" I feel I'm still to the good. These rarely come for sale in the US (this was the first I've run across in 25 years) as most have stayed north of the razor wire in Canada. Even in Canada they are quite hard to find.
-The 3rd Ross was a later MKII Military Match which the fellow who bid against me got for the jaw dropping price of $1200 less tax. Easily $800-1000 light.
-The last Ross was another MKII Military Match but it had a silver presentation plaque attached to the stock, a gift from a Canadian shooting organization to a competitor. This fellow was well known and RIA had no problem finding provenance for him online. Bidding was modest with it crossing the line @ $3700 with the vig and fee.
-The MKII 2* arrive yesterday and I will say that RIAs shipping dept. is top notch. Easily the best packing job I've ever seen. Took some of the sting out of the vig and fee. The finish is original all around and there's a small "JM" on one side of the butt with "BCDE" on the other. Time to do some sleuthing, see if I can't get a lead on who owned this beauty at one time. And keep an eye out for a proper vintage sling, has to have a sling!
-I go through them and am instantly drawn to the 2nd lot, a Ross MKII 2* Commercial target rifle with the long 30" barrel. Sporting a pair of Eric Pilblad designed sights built by Canada Tool & Specialty of New Glasgow NS and British proof marks. So this puppy was sold and exported to England at some point in its 110 year life. I'm guessing straight from the factory pre-WWI, when the Ross rifle ruled British shooting matches.
-The first Ross, a stupid rare 1905-1910 Match Target chambered in .280 Ross, sells light, $2400. Perhaps because the even rarer sights are missing. Yet I've only seen one of these anywhere up to now so I'm thinking the next lot could sell reasonably, doesn't seem to be much interest in the room or online.
-Then the MKII 2* comes up and the opening bid is in the room @ $1400. I place one counter bid and it's mine. I'm thrilled because even with another $6oo worth of MD sales tax, 21.5% premium, shipping and a crazy $45 "live bidding fee" I feel I'm still to the good. These rarely come for sale in the US (this was the first I've run across in 25 years) as most have stayed north of the razor wire in Canada. Even in Canada they are quite hard to find.
-The 3rd Ross was a later MKII Military Match which the fellow who bid against me got for the jaw dropping price of $1200 less tax. Easily $800-1000 light.
-The last Ross was another MKII Military Match but it had a silver presentation plaque attached to the stock, a gift from a Canadian shooting organization to a competitor. This fellow was well known and RIA had no problem finding provenance for him online. Bidding was modest with it crossing the line @ $3700 with the vig and fee.
-The MKII 2* arrive yesterday and I will say that RIAs shipping dept. is top notch. Easily the best packing job I've ever seen. Took some of the sting out of the vig and fee. The finish is original all around and there's a small "JM" on one side of the butt with "BCDE" on the other. Time to do some sleuthing, see if I can't get a lead on who owned this beauty at one time. And keep an eye out for a proper vintage sling, has to have a sling!