U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1903 Mark I rifle with very rare Pedersen Device and accessories. The group consists of: (1) Model 1903 Mark I rifle, (2) Unmarked Prototype Pedersen Device, (3) 40-round magazine, (4) sheet-metal Pedersen Device case, (5) carton of 40 "CAL. 30 AUTO. PISTOL BALL CARTRIDGES MODEL OF 1918" cartridges for Pedersen Device, (6) eight loose .30 cartridges, (7) special M1903 Mark I sear, (8) canvas bolt case marked "RIA/1919", (9) two canvas magazine pouches marked "R.I.A./7-19", (10) nine-pocket, .30 caliber, eagle snap cartridge pouch, (11) Model 1905 bayonet with canvas scabbard and (12) russet leather Model 1907 sling. Also included in the lot are numerous books, magazines and articles that describe the function and history of the Pedersen Device. Designed by firearms designer and inventor J.D. Pedersen c. 1917, the Pedersen Device was a replacement bolt and magazine which, when inserted in a modified M1903 rifle, converted the rifle to semi-automatic fire. Pedersen's concept was to provide rifle-equipped infantry with a weapon that produced a high volume of semi-automatic fire in an assault and also retained the capability for the long range firepower of a standard infantry rifle. The Model 1903 Mark I rifle had an oval ejection port in the left side of the receiver, special stock modified to accommodate the ejection port, special sear/trigger and modified magazine cut-off. Prior to installation of the Pedersen Device, the Mark I rifle fired the standard .30-06 cartridge and functioned exactly like a standard M1903 rifle. On removal of the bolt and insertion of the Pedersen Device and 40-round magazine, the Mark I rifle functioned as a semi-automatic rifle firing the low velocity .30 caliber Pedersen cartridge. The Ordnance Department adopted the Pedersen Device in March 1918 and for security purposes designated it "AUTOMATIC PISTOL CALIBER 30, MODEL 1918". A total of 500,000 Pedersen Devices were eventually ordered from Remington Arms Co. About 65,000 devices had been delivered when WWI ended in November 1918. No Pedersen Devices were ever issued to troops in the field. Postwar evaluation of the Pedersen Device determined that it served no practical purpose. In April 1931, 64, 873, Pedersen Devices and 60 million rounds of ammunition were destroyed. Very few Pedersen Devices, magazines and sheet-metal cases escaped destruction or retention by government museums. Surviving examples are extremely scarce. The M1903 Mark I rifles had the special sear/trigger and magazine cut-off removed and were returned to service. The Mark I rifle has the distinctive marking "U.S./SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY/MODEL 1903./MARK I" on the receiver, oval cut-out in the left receiver wall and modified stock. The barrel is dated "S A/3-20". The metal components have a dark parkerized finish. The left side of the stock is stamped with multiple overhaul marks. The Pedersen Device appears to be complete and has a black-green parkerized finish. The slide assembly lacks a serial number, Remington-Bridgeport markings, Pedersen's patent marks and the "U.S.A. 1918-MARK I" markings found on regular production Pedersen Devices. The frame cap and other components lack the 'Eagle Head" Ordnance sub-inspection marks. The lack of markings indicate this device may be a pre-production example that escaped recall and destruction. The scarce magazine and rare sheet metal case have the standard dark parkerized finish and appear to be standard production pieces.

Very good. The Pedersen Device, magazine and sheet-metal case retain 80% of the thin parkerized finish. The cartridge box has been opened but is in excellent condition with all 40 cartridges. The canvas magazine pouches and bolt case remain in excellent condition. The Model 1903 Mark I rifle has the correct components and is in good overall condition. The arsenal refurbished rifle retains 70% of the dark parkerized finish while the stock and handguard are in fair condition with numerous handling marks and scratches. The bayonet and scabbard are in good overall condition; the "1907/SA" marked blade has been polished and has spots of surface discoloration and the walnut grips have been heavily sanded. The rifle cartridge belt shows moderate-heavy wear and is in good overall condition. An original Pedersen Device is, along with an original Rod Bayonet Model 1903 rifle, is one of the hardest pieces of U.S. miliaria for a collector to obtain. Only a few Pedersen Devices escaped destruction in 1931 and remain in private collections. Magazines for the Pedersen Device are extremely scarce. The sheet metal case for the Pedersen Device is actually more rare than the Pedersen Device itself. This complete group with Model 1903 Mark I rifle, unmarked Pedersen Device, magazine, sheet metal case, ammunition and bolt and magazine pouches represents a unique opportunity for the advanced U.S. military collector to obtain one of the rarest and most desirable pieces of 20th U.S. miliaria.