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LOT 354
Scarce Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd. Pedersen Self-Loading Semi-
Automatic Rifle - Serial no. 218, 276 cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock.
Offered here is a scarce Pedersen semi-automatic rifle, manufactured in the early 1930s by Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd. of the United
Kingdom. Originally conceived by American arms designer John D. Pedersen in 1924 and developed into the 1930s, the Pedersen self-loader
was the strongest competitor to John Garand’s rifle for adoption by the U.S. Army as their first self-loading infantry rifle. Both were originally developed around the Pedersen-designed .276
Pedersen cartridge to have a more compact, lightweight and easy-shooting operation than a .30-06 gas or recoil driven rifle, with the Pedersen using a novel delayed blowback toggle lock system (often
compared to the Luger Parabellum system). While a novel weapon, and somewhat prescient in light of later efforts to introduce small bore high velocity infantry arms, Pedersen’s cartridge was met with mixed
response by the Army, which had concerns about lethality and the use of waxed cartridges to aid feeding and extraction, as well as the logistics burden of fielding infantry units with .276 caliber rifles and .30-06
caliber machine guns. The .276 failed to displace the .30-06 as the main infantry cartridge, and Garand scaled up his rifle to handle the larger round, in turn making history with what was officially adopted as the M1 Garand
rifle in U.S. military service. While not closing the deal with the U.S. Army, the level of interest shown to Pedersen’s design intrigued other nations eyeballing a semi-auto upgrade, leading to talks with the Imperial Japanese Army
and the United Kingdom, the latter leading to a partnership with Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd., though in the end the British opted to stick with the
Short Magazine Lee-Enfield bolt action rifle, shelving the semi-automatic question until after World War II. Pedersen rifles and carbines were
made in limited quantities and earmarked for (often deliberately harsh or destructive) government testing, making surviving examples rare in
any condition. Blade front sight, adjustable peep rear sight, with the deeply cut half-fluted barrel protected by a ventilated steel handguard.
The top of the chamber is stamped with “C/2” in an oval proof, with “PEDERSEN SELFLOADER PA/VICKERS-ARMSTRONGS LTD.” on the left side
of the receiver and the serial number “218” on the right. A set of small “Lion” proofs are on the receiver and the bolt, the latter fitted
with a “SAFE” and “REDY” marked crossbar safety. The smooth pistol grip stock is ventilated along the bottom front and fitted with
an enlarged magazine floorplate to accommodate an en-bloc clip, with a checkered steel buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 85% original blue finish with areas of old dried brown grease, some areas faded to a smooth
brown patina on the balance, with sharp markings. Stock is also fine as modified, with the front section removed, with
scattered dents and scratches, a non-structural crack visible directly ahead of the magazine well, a non-structural crack
on top directly behind the receiver, and defined edges. Absent sling swivels. Mechanically excellent. Pedersen semi-
automatic rifles are very scarce in any condition, serving as a significant evolutionary piece in firearms history, and would
make a valuable addition in any advanced military firearms collection.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 353
Excellent World War II
U.S. Winchester Model 97 Slide Action
Trench Shotgun with Winchester Bayonet - Serial no.
E955897, 12 gauge, 20 7/8 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The Winchester Model 97 trench
shotgun gained worldwide fame in the trenches of
World War I with its slam
fire capability and was
extensively utilized in the Pacific Theater during World War II, remaining in Army and Marine inventory until the 1990s.
This classic military shotgun is desirable in any condition. Single bead front sight mounted on the four-hole
heat shield with bayonet lug adapter, and a filled in hole from a previous sight bead on top of the barrel, as
likely factory converted to Trench configuration during World War II due to high demand. The barrel is marked for
cylinder choke, a 2 3/4 inch chamber, and “42” dated on the underside. A flaming bomb proof is stamped on top of the barrel, with “U.S.” on the left side of the frame. Matching serial numbers
marked on the bottom of the receiver and takedown collar. Ribbed forearm and smooth pistol grip stock with a boxed “W.B.” and crossed cannons stamped on the left, sling swivels, checkered
buttplate and a 13 3/4 inch length of pull. Includes a “1917” dated Winchester M1917 bayonet with green leather scabbard, and a Boyt “43” dated M1907 brown leather sling.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% plus original blue finish with some cycling wear visible on the magazine tube, some patches of very minor surface freckling, a few light scratches, and sharp
markings in the metal. The wood is very fine with distinct edges, some scattered light dents and scratches, and crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. Bayonet and scabbard are very fine. This
excellent Winchester Model 97 trench shotgun would make a fine addition to any U.S. military firearms collection!
Estimate: 8,500 - 12,000