Caliber .276 semi-automatic rifle designed by John D. Pedersen and manufactured by Vickers-Armstrongs LTD. C. 1930. The Pedersen Self-Loading rifle was the result of U.S. Army interest in development of a semi-automatic infantry rifle following WWI. In 1923 the Ordnance Department awarded successful small arms designer John D. Pedersen a contract to develop a semi-automatic rifle for the Army. Pedersen developed the .276 caliber self loading rifle. The Pedersen rifle was tested by the Ordnance Department and recommended for adoption in 1928. However, after additional testing in 1931, the Infantry Board recommended that the Army develop the T3 Garand semi-automatic rifle manufactured by Springfield Armory rather than the Pedersen rifle. Pedersen had previously contracted with the English firm, Vickers-Armstrongs LTD, to manufacture his rifle in 1930. Vickers-Armstrong manufactured an estimated total of 200 Pedersen Self-Loading rifles. The Pedersen rifles tested by the Army in 1931 were manufactured by Vickers-Armstrongs. After the Army discontinued development of the Pedersen rifle, a limited number of rifles were sold to China and Portugal. This rifle is chambered for the .276 rimless cartridge has the distinctive Pedersen Self-Loading rifle features which include: (1) 10-round box magazine loaded with en-bloc clips,(2) fine adjustable, 1/2-minute rear sight, (3) unique 24-inch barrel with spiral cooling fins, (4) perforated metal hand guard and (5) sliding bar safety in the bolt. The metal components have a dull military blue finish and the one-piece, black walnut, stock is oil finished. The left side of the receiver is roll-stamped: "PEDERSEN SELFLOADER P.A/VICKERS-ARMSTRONGS.LTD" in two lines. The serial number, "43" is stamped on the right rear of the receiver. The top of the sliding bar safety is marked "REDY" on the left side and "SAFE" on the right side. An encircled "C/2" is stamped on the top of the receiver. Birmingham proof marks are stamped on the top of the bolt and the left side of the receiver. This is a high quality, well-finished, rifle with finely milled components. The Pedersen Self-Loading rifle was the primary competitor to the T3 semi-automatic rifle developed by John C. Garand and is a key piece in the development of the M1 Garand rifle. This Pedersen Self-Loading rifle would be an important addition to any advanced collection of U,S, military rifles.

Very fine. The rifle retains nearly 85% of the original subdued, military blue finish. The receiver markings, serial number and proof marks are crisp. The black walnut stock has been sanded and re-finished and there are two professionally repaired, hair-line, cracks in the stock. Mechanically excellent. This is a scarce and historically significant rifle that would be display well in a collection of M1 Garand and M1903 Springfield rifles.