Rare Pedersen Device, Springfield M1903 Mark I rifle and accessories. This group consists of: (1) M1903 Mark I rifle serial no. 1171768, (2) Pedersen Device, serial no 33174, (3) 40-round magazine, (4) 40-round sealed carton of "CAL. 30 AUTO. PISTOL BALL CARTRIDGES MODEL OF 1918" cartridges manufactured by Remington/UMC, (5) canvas magazine pouch marked "R.I.A./9-19", (6) bolt pouch and (7) two wrenches. Designed by J.D. Pedersen c. 1917, the Pedersen Device consisted of 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 retained the capability for the long range, precision fire of the 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 service 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 designated it "AUTOMATIC PISTOL CALIBER 30, MODEL 1918" for security purposes. A total of 500,000 Pedersen Devices were ordered from the 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. Post-war 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 Mark I M1903 rifles had the special cut-off and sear removed and were re-issued and in most case rebuilt. M1903 Mark I rifles are scarce in original configuration with the correct components. The Pedersen Device has a black-green parkerized finish. The right side is marked: "REMINGTON-BRIDGEPORT/PEDERSEN'S PAT'S. PENDING" in two lines above the cocking serrations. The opposite side of the device is marked: "U.S.A. 1918-MARK I/33174" in two lines. The rear face of the device is stamped with the Ordnance inspector's initials "E.E.C." above two eagle head Ordnance inspection marks. The magazine has a black parkerized finish. The Mark I rifle has black-green parkerized components. The barrel is roll-stamped: "SA/Ordnance Shell & Flame/3-20/A" behind the rear sight . The receiver has the special Pedersen Device magazine cut-off and screw and special sear with smooth trigger. The receiver is roll-stamped: "U.S./SPRINGFIELD ARMORY/MODEL 1903/MARK I/1171768". The rifle has the special Mark I stock with relief cut below the oval receiver ejection port, fine checkered, post-WWI buttplate and post war "low-hump" handguard. The left side of the stock is stamped with a "D.A.L." rectangular final inspection mark. An encircled, block "P" proofmark is stamped on the underside of the stock behind the trigger guard. The Pedersen Device is one of the rarest U.S. martial arms accessories and a key piece in any comprehensive collection of Model 1903 rifles.