Rare Pedersen Device and 40-round magazine, U.S. Springfield M1903 Mark I rifle and accessories. The group consists of: (1) Pedersen Device serial no.14613, (2) 40-round magazine, (3) M1903 Mark I rifle, (4) two cartons of 40 "CAL. 30 AUTO. PISTOL BALL CARTRIDGES MODEL OF 1918" cartridges for Pedersen Device, (5) canvas magazine pouches marked "R.I.A./6-19", (6) brass Frankford Arsenal gang mold for five .30 round balls (buckshot) and (7) leather M1905 bayonet scabbard. Designed by 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 the assault and retained the capability for the long range firepower of a standard infantry rifle. The M1903 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 and magazines escaped destruction or retention by government museums. The Pedersen Device has a black-green parkerized finish. The right side is marked: "REMINGTON-BRIDGEPORT/PEDERSEN'S PATENT" in two lines above the cocking serrations The opposite side of the device is marked: "U.S.A. 1918-MARK I/14613" in two lines. An eagle head Ordnance inspection mark is stamped on the front face of the device body. The magazine has a black parkerized finish and is covered in grease. The Mark I rifle has the correct combination of blued and parkerized components with "J5" steel lot code on the bolt and "SA" marked barrel dated "1-20". The receiver is fitted with the correct Pedersen Device magazine cut-off and screw. The stock and forearm are WWII replacements which are not stamped with proof or inspection marks. The scarce gang mold is marked: "FRANKFORD ARSENAL/1900" on the bottom of one block and "CAL. 30/OML" on the bottom of the other block. Both blocks and the blued steel sprue cutter are stamped with the serial number "101". The M1905 Scabbard is in un-altered condition and has illegible arsenal markings on the back of the leather body.

The Pedersen Device is excellent, all original and retains at least 90% of the original black-green parkerized finish. The 40-round magazine is covered in grease but is complete and appears to retain at least 90% of the black parkerized finish. The magazine pouch is in new condition. The cartons of .30 Cal. Pedersen cartridges are sealed and appear to be un-opened. The M1903 Mark I rifle retains 85-90% of the original blue and parkerized finish on the barrel, receiver, bolt and metal components. The receiver and barrel markings are crisp. The Mark I cut-off was probably re-installed on this rifle. The later production World War II era 03-A1 stock and handguard lacks the special Mark I stock with clearance cut below the oval port on the left side of the receiver. The stock and handguard are both in excellent condition. A complete Pedersen Device is one of the hardest pieces of U.S. miliaria to obtain and is a key component in a complete M1903 Springfield collection. The Pedersen Device magazines are nearly impossible to obtain. This is an excellent, original, example of a rare Pedersen Device with equally rare magazine, original cartridges and magazine pouch with correct M1903 Mark I rifle. The rarely encountered Frankford Arsenal gang mold remains in excellent condition. The M1905 Bayonet scabbard is in good overall condition.