This is a rare example of a John D. Pedersen Self-Loading "Carbine" manufactured by Vickers-Armstrong Ltd. circa 1932. The Pedersen Self-Loading design was developed based on the interest shown by the U.S. Army in adopting a semi-automatic infantry rifle following WWI. In 1923, the Ordnance Department awarded Pedersen a contract to develop such a rifle, and based on that he developed his self-loading rifle and carbine chambered in the .276 caliber Pedersen cartridge. In 1928, the Ordnance Department tested both the Pedersen designed rifle and carbine and recommended them for adoption, so in 1930, Pedersen contracted with the English firm Vickers-Armstrong to manufacture a small quantity of rifles and carbines, estimated at approximately 200 rifles and 50 carbines total. 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. After the Army reversed their recommendation, a limited number of rifles were sold to China and Portugal, as well as Japan, who actually produced and tested several prototype Japanese semi-automatic rifles based on his delayed-blow back toggle mechanism. This carbine is chambered for the .276 rimless Pedersen cartridge and has the distinctive Pedersen features which include: (1) 10 round box magazine loaded with en-bloc clips, (2) a fine adjustable, 1/2 minute rear sight, (3) unique 22 inch barrel with spiral cooling fins, (4) perforated metal hand guard and (5) sliding bar safety in the bolt, 6) and the short "carbine" length stock. 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 "249" 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. There is an early Birmingham nitro proofmark (used until 1925) stamped on the top of the front edge of the bolt and the left, rear side of the receiver. This is a high quality, well-finished carbine with finely milled components. The Pedersen Self-Loading rifle and carbine were the primary competitors 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 carbine would be an important addition to any advanced collection of U.S. military or British rifles.

Excellent with 98% of the original combination blue/matte military finish; that consist of a blue on the barrel with the darker matte blue on the complete receiver and magazine system with dried grease overall. The underside and internal components of the action are still in the white to include the breech end of the barrel. The stock is in very fine plus condition with its nice original oil finish overall with some minor handling marks and light pressure dents on the side from handling over the years. This is a really nice, super high condition late production Pedersen self-loading carbine.