This is a rare example of a Prototype Pedersen Model GX semi-automatic rifle bearing serial number "1". This rifle was an early prototype developed by firearms inventor John D. Pedersen in the late 1930s. Following the Army's decision to continue the development of the T1 Garand rifle in the .276 caliber following the 1932 Service Rifle Trials, J.D. Pedersen developed a new design with the intent of again competing with the M1 Garand in the 1938/39 trials. Rather than using the Pedersen T1 Autoloading Rifle, his company developed a new series of rifle the GY and GX series in 30-06. The example we have for sale here is a "GX" model that combined features of the M1 Garand and Pedersen T1 rifles. The GX rifle had a separate barrel mounted gas cylinder, handguard, operating rod and a rotating/telescoping bolt, which was similar to the early T3 rifles. The rifle retained the en-bloc clip, spiral-ribbed barrel, top handguard, full length stock with grasping grooves and cooling vents that were features on the T1 Pedersen rifle. It featured a new rear sight that was fully adjustable for windage and elevation with 1/2 minute windage adjustments and elevation calibrated from 200-1,200 meters. The left side of the receiver is marked with the serial number "1" followed by the two-line legend: "PEDERSEN SELF-LOADING RIFLE/MODEL GX CAL.30.U.S.". As noted, this design has a unique, rotating and telescoping bolt head that fits inside a bolt carrier. The bolt itself has three opposing lugs, with the top right lug stamped with a "P" proof and the top left lug serial numbered "3". The metal components all have a dull military blue finish and an oil-finished black walnut stock and handguard. Very limited information is available on the Pedersen GY or GX series rifle; however, author Bruce Canfield discusses the rifles briefly on page 190 of "THE M1 GARAND RIFLE". He states that John Pedersen developed the GX rifle circa 1939 and submitted the rifle to Springfield Armory for testing in 1943. Canfield states that only a hand full of either model exist today. Few examples of the GY rifles are known; serial number "3" is located in the Springfield Armory Museum, which they identify their rifle as: "Experimental Model G-Y Rifle Garand Type, made by Pedersen, Circa 1939", and the second example is in an un-identified private collection. Since this GX series rifle is serial number "1", it may be assumed this is the only GX rifle ever manufactured.

Excellent with 95% plus of the original finish overall only very minor wear on the edges and high spot of the receiver with some blue loss on the bolt carrier from where it has hand cycled. The stock and handguard are both in excellent condition showing only minor handling marks in a few places. Mechanically excellent. A very interesting, early prototype Pedersen designed rifle, certainly for the advanced M1 Garand or U.S. Martial arms collector. Provenance: Robert Bretherton Collection, property of a gentleman.