Springfield 1903 Mark 1 Pedersen Device

[Correus]

Just had to share...

Went to the gun show today. I Literally got smacked in the face by a cardboard flag saying "Springfield 1903 for Sale" that was sticking out of the barrel as the guy walked past me. I have a '42 M1903A3 and since I collect WWI items I really wanted an M1903 with a WWI year, but this guy and I came to an agreement.

Anyway, this one's barrel stamp is 4 - 19 and it's serial # is 1091079. Unfortunately it isn't a WWI date, but it is a Mark 1 Pedersen Device model. All of the numbers match as well.

Based on what I've read so far, supposedly, there were only 110,000 of these rifles made. As to the actual Pedersen Device, one site said only 64,000 some odd were made and another site said 101,750. It would be sweet to find one of the devices to go with it but I doubt that will happen.

Once the rifle was mine, I couldn't walk 30 feet without being stopped by someone wanting to buy it. In total I had 6 dealers ask to buy it and I stopped counting at 15 in regard to the people attending the show. It really makes one stand a little taller knowing your carrying around a rifle others are stopping you to buy or just to admire!

There was a rather interesting run in with a group of three guys. They were yelling at me from across the facility and waving me over. When I got there they all asked if it were for sell. When I said "no" they waved me a way. When I turned to leave they called me back. They asked if they could give the rifle the once over and I said "sure". These three guys went over this rifle with a fine tooth comb! They noted every stamp/mark, every piece of metal, etc. The main guy tried to get me to sell it but I declined. He said that was good and to enjoy it.

Funny thing is...I only went to the show to look for GEW98s for a friend and had even set a budget of barely anything to spend there.

Now I'd like to know more about this rifle and why so many people were going ape over it.

I'll try to get some pics posted either tonight or tomorrow.

I really wish it had been dated '1918' but hey, it's still a nice rifle and I will add it to my WWI display anyway.

[grant]

Nice find!

[stecal]

lucky dog. I've only seen a Pedersen device in a museum. They were pretty clunky one use device that turned a rifle in a SMG, but would have been a shock to the Germans if every GI had one in an assault.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedersen_device

I assume the main difference is the ejection port?

[Correus]

I assume the main difference is the ejection port?

Thanks stecal.

Are you meaning "main difference" as in between the M1903 and the M1903 Mk 1?

[Invisible officer]

The milling out of the ejection port was the most obvious outer sign of that arm but there are other differences:
Cutting out a portion of the stock underneath the ejection port, modifying the magazine cut-off and modifying the trigger which tripped the device firing mechanism.
The Pedersen Device replaced the standard Springfield bolt, which the soldier would place into a canvas pouch on his equipment belt.
A nice idea to cross the rifle and the SMG. But would it be ideal in the mud of the Western Front? The main advantage of the German Bergmann MP 18 was the small size, ideal to spray a trench or dug out entry.

[Biggus Dickus]

Correus, How on earth do you do it?????

Are you using the force ?
Perhaps you have turned to the dark side

[Correus]

The milling out of the ejection port was the most obvious outer sign of that arm but there are other differences:
Cutting out a portion of the stock underneath the ejection port, modifying the magazine cut-off and modifying the trigger which tripped the device firing mechanism.
The Pedersen Device replaced the standard Springfield bolt, which the soldier would place into a canvas pouch on his equipment belt.
A nice idea to cross the rifle and the SMG. But would it be ideal in the mud of the Western Front? The main advantage of the German Bergmann MP 18 was the small size, ideal to spray a trench or dug out entry.

Hind site is 20/20. From what I'm learning they finally figured out that the rifle probably would work the best in the conditions of the trenches - however, General Pershing (who was against the war ending and wanted to take the war to Berlin) was pushing for a massive Spring 1919 offensive. The were building these things for that and they were hoping it would counter the Bergman. My issue is this...with the extra bolt needed (the actual Pedersen device), plus it's special carrying case, the extra web pouches and the special magazines AND the additional spare .30 cal ammo...how much would get lost in the heat of battle?!?!

As for all those 'extras' you mention...your spot on and this rifle has them!

I already found the two web pouches that would carry the device and the magazine...$65 a pop!!!

After cleaning it, and a thorough going over by my brother (who is trained gun smith - guns are his hobby) I'm taking it out target shooting.

[Correus]

Correus, How on earth do you do it?????

Are you using the force ?
Perhaps you have turned to the dark side

Perhaps...after all, I do have a dark side.

This is one of the reasons friends and family are pushing me to go into the business. SWMBO, and her mother, went with her father and I to the gun show. The plan was not to stay long and we were going to take them out for lunch and to see a couple of antique stores. Anyway, SWMBO and her mother were a bit skeptical about the rife until they started noticing how often I was being stopped and questioned about it as well as being mobbed, albeit small mobs , because of it.