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Springfield M1903 Mark I ORIGINAL FOR PEDERSON DEVICE
Guns International #: 100658985 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Springfield Rifles - 1903 - Military Rifles - US
Seller's Information
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Seller: Rolfe
Member Since: 2/2/16
First Name: Howard
Last Name: Hart
State: Virginia
Zip: 22940
Country: United States
Phone: (434) 985-6208
Number of Active Listings: 0
Total Number of Listings: 9
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: USPS Money Order Cashiers Check
Description:
An important find for the advanced M1903 / WW I collector: an ORIGINAL M1903 Mark I with all the internal parts that allow the use of the WW I secret “Pederson Device” which enabled full automatic fire using a special Pederson cartridge. Guaranteed genuine.
Mark I M1903 rifles were developed in great secrecy, and were to be used in the planned WW I Spring of 1919 “Great Offensive” against Germany. General Pershing, who demanded that Springfield make as many Mk I rifles as possible, believed that the full automatic function of the MK I would give American troops a decided advantage over German forces in the trench warfare of the time. Since the war ended – unexpectedly – in the Fall of 1918, NO Mark I rifles were issued to troops.
After WW I the military destroyed all Pederson Devices, and returned/retrofitted all Mark I rifles to the standard M1903 configuration. This involved removing the special internal parts (the Mark I trigger/sear assembly, cutoff, and beveled follower) that enabled the Mark I to use the Pederson device – which replaced the standard M1903 bolt. It also removed the special flat Mark I upper hand guard, replacing it with the standard M1903 grooved hand guard. (Note: the “flat” handguard was intended to make it easier for a soldier carrying the Mark I to engage in ”marching fire” – one of less brilliant tactics of the day.)
Rifles marked (on the receiver ring) “M1903 Mark I” are easily available, however they are no longer Original, as-manufactured real Mark I rifles. On garden-variety M1903 Mark I rifles all that remains to indicate that they were designed to use the Pederson device is the special “Mark I” marking on the receiver, and the Pederson cartridge ejector port on the left side of the receiver. (Note: the ejector port has no impact on the functioning of the M1903 Springfield rifle while using the “regular” bolt, so rifles could be retrofitted by simply removing the special internal parts, replacing the flat handguard with the standard grooved variety, and inserting the standard bolt.)
This, then, is a rare and unusual specimen. It is in Excellent overall condition, and is a very handsome rifle indeed. Most M1903 (and M1903A3) collectors make do by having an example of the “retrofitted” Mk I – which of course could not accept/work with the Pederson Device.
The metal finish on this rifle is the uniform black early Parkerizing, and shows very little wear: a handsome dark finish remains. The Springfield 12-19 barrel is original to the receiver: the bore is bright: TE = 1.0, MW = 1.0. There is very little wear on the bolt. The stock wood is well figured, and is a handsome dark brown walnut – there are very few small “dings” on the stock of a rifle which is nearly 100 years old. As is correct for Mk I rifles, the butt plate is the smooth type, and no “Hatcher hole” is present. A correct Mark I does NOT have a visible cartouche, but, as on this rifle, there are TWO proof “P” marks on the stock: one in a circle, one not circled. The proper “flat” upper hand guard is present, and its color/condition matches the rest of the stock wood.
The rifle comes with the correct WW I front sight cover, and an un-used canvas Pederson Device “over-the shoulder” case for the long Pederson “pistol sized” ammunition magazines.
The rifle also has a M1907 leather sling marked “Hoyt-1918.” The sling, while very serviceable and correct for the Mark I, has much more wear than the rifle itself, and therefore is not original to the rifle.
One can only speculate how this rifle escaped conversion back to the standard M1903 configuration. There certainly are very few like it – particularly in this Excellent condition.
C&R okay, or will ship to your FFL holder. Sorry, but I cannot accept the return of this particular rifle: the risk of someone removing the special internal parts is too great. Buyer pays shipping by Priority Mail for $25.
SOLD
Curio/Relic: Yes
Manufacturer: Springfield
Model: M1903 Mark I
Serial Number: 1184922
Caliber Info: 30-06