1903 Mk1 Springfield Rifle with Peredson Cut-out………..SOLD
Created on December 1st 2011
A fine example of the U.S. 1903 Service Rifle with Pederson Cut-out
Overall length 43.1/4″. Chambered in .30-06 caliber. Barrel length 23.1/2″. Serial number 1059537
The Pederson Device was an ingenious idea developed and ordered when America and the US Army were comming to terms with the realities of what trench warfare really meant. The .30-06 bolt action rifle was a superb weapon with a powerful round, but in some instances this round would be too powerful. Rapid fire and a slightly less powerful round were more applicable to trench warfare of the time. The designer, John, D, Pederson devised an interchangerble automatic bolt system, which opperated with a .30 caliber pistol cartridge and slipped into the action of a slightly modified 1903 rifle. It used a 40 round detachable magazine which was mounted on the RHS of the automatic blot and stood rather awkwardly at an angle of 45 degrees on the action, so enabling the rifles original sights to be used. The device made possible a rapid change of use for the rifle enabling the troops to put down effective semi-automatic fire if required. 100,000 of these units were initially ordered. A programe of change from the Springfield armoury producing altered rifles for use with the device. Eventually when the armistice came along the order was cancelled by the army once they had taken aproximately 113,00 units but Springfield carried on making them as late as 1920, which is what this example is.
This 1903 rifle is of early standard specification with the addition of Pederson Cut-out device parts and breech markings. The breech is marked as follows; ” U.S / SPRINGFIELD / ARMOURY / MODEL 1903 / MARK 1 / 1059537″ This rifle, unusually, still retains many of the pederson parts necessary to fit the original device. Namely, the obvious elongated cut-out in the action wall, this was the side ejection port for the spent cases. Along with the stock cut-out, (very importantly, proving this rifle retains its original stock) a slight dip in the side of the stock alowing clearance for the actual cut-out so the cases would not be hindered on their way out.
The next most obvious difference are the breech markings with the addition of the “MARK 1”. Also, the two part trigger sear and the altered magazine cut-off lever which was part of the ingenious machanism that retained the automatic bolt. It would nice to reunite this rifle with an original Perdeson cut-out device because its very possible that this rifle would work with the kit. (The pederson cut-out device would require special licencing in the UK) Many of the Pederson kits were subsequently officially destroyed.
This rifle also displays some of the early parkerisation which was being developed at the time. The action and bolt retain a high gloss version of this early parkersation. There is a pleasant green- grey-brown to the parts which looks to be entirely original. The barrel is marked behind the fore sight as follows ” S.A. / flaming bomb / 6-20″
The stock is the two cross bolt type with finger groves and high hump handguard. It has two sling swivels and a stacking swivel attached to the front cap bayonet fixing. There is a very faint cartouch on the LHS of the wrist which is not really discernable although it shows all the signs of a regualr inspectors cartouche. The final circled “P” proof mark is under the wrist behind the trigger guard. The rifle has the earlier ladder sights graduated to 2850 yards. The bore is bright with good rifling but no corrosion. Steel butt plate with trap for cleaning gear.
Altogether a very nice post war 1903 ready to accept a Perdeson device for conversion to semi-automatic. Any attempt to do this would of course need to be backed up by a full section 5 license but as it is the rifle is easily put on a standard section one FAC. This rare and intersting rifle would make an interesting addition to a Service rifle collection.
£1350.00
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