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From the Renowned Lifetime Collection of George Moller The most complete collection of primary issued U.S. shoulder arms in private hands
LOT 426
U.S. Springfield Model 1903 Mark I Bolt Action Rifle with 1918 Mark I Pedersen Device, Bayonet, and Accessories - Serial no. 1041418, 30-06 Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut stock. Very rare Mark I Pedersen Device, Springfield M1903 Mark I rifle, one rare 40-round Pedersen Device magazine, one Remington Arms 40-count box of .30-18 Pedersen cartridges, Rock Island Arsenal “7-19” dated magazine pouch. Designated “Automatic Pistol, Caliber .30, Model of 19 - Mark I” by the Ordnance Department,
the Pedersen Device consisted of a replacement bolt and 40-round magazine which fitted a special Springfield Mark I M1903 with modified receiver, stock, sear, and magazine cut- off. The Pedersen Device converted the bolt-action M1903
to a semi-automatic rifle that fired a low velocity .30 caliber pistol cartridge. Designed by John D. Pedersen, the Pedersen Device was intended to provide the infantry with a close- range high-capacity semi-automatic rifle for suppressive
fire that could be rapidly converted to the standard .30-06 M1903 bolt-action rifle. The Pedersen Device was developed secretly with the intent of introducing it on the Western Front for the allied spring 1919 offensive. The Ordnance Department issued procurement orders to Remington Arms, U.M.C Company for 65,000 Mark I Pedersen Devices, 1,600,000 magazines and 65,000,000
cartridges. Springfield Armory manufactured nearly 145,000 M1903 Mark I rifles. No Pedersen Devices or Mark I rifles had been issued when armistice was declared on November 11, 1918. The Mark I rifles and Pedersen Devices were placed in storage until 1931 when a decision was made to destroy the devices and ammunition. Army records show that 64,873 Pedersen Devices and 60 million rounds of ammunition were destroyed in April 1931. The Mark I rifles had the special sears and magazine cut-offs removed and were over-hauled. Very few complete Pedersen Devices and magazines escaped destruction. Complete Pedersen Devices with magazines
are among the rarest and most desirable M1903 accessories. This Pedersen Device appears to have not been marked with the standard markings on the cocking knob as typically seen other standard serialized examples. Under hard light with a close eye, the left side top corner of the cocking piece has a faint small “FA” mark, which may stand for Frankford Arsenal although unconfirmed.