1903 MkI Springfield US Service Rifle – SOLD

A good example of the 1903 MkI –  adapted for Pederson Device Rifle

The 1903 is in standard specification for rifles selected to be converted for the WW1 Pederson device.  It is in the correct serial number / date range typical of these weapons.  The serial number is 1104522 which places original manufacture in 1918/19 this concurs with the barrel date of 10 – 19.  The Pederson device conversion program ran at Springfield from December 1918 and finished in march 1920.  The Pederson device converted the standard .30 caliber rifle into a semi-automatic rifle for uses such as trench clearing during the first World War with an increased magazine capacity.

  This rifle shows the first most obvious sign of conversion on the LHS of the breech where the ejection port for the spent 30 caliber shells was milled into the action wall.  Furthermore on the top edge of the stock wall you can see the alteration to the stock, where a minor indentation has been let away to allow the empty’s to clear the port. This points out the fact that this is a person type stock.   After the conversion program was cancelled the whole Perdeson idea was scrapped and the rifles converted back to a normal 5 shot rifle.  It is virtually impossible to own a Pederson device in the UK but one can at least hold the rifle in its original form.

This rifle is in .30-06 caliber.  It is 43.1/4″ in overall length.  The breech is marked ” U.S.  / SPRINGFIELD  /ARMORY  / MODEL 1903  / MARK I  / 1104522″  Within the 1903s these were the only pre-WW2 rifles to be designated with a “MARK.”   It has a  standard length 24″ round blued barrel with 4 groove rifling and a good used bore.  The barrel is marked on top behind the front sight with “S.A. / flaming bomb motive / 10 – 19”  Single blade front sight with standard leaf rear sight which is fully adjustable for windage and elevation up to 2850 yards.  These complicated but finely adjustable sights have no more than 5 aiming points !

At the rear of the action this 1903 has the standard magazine cut-off lever which does exactly as it says – stops feeding from the magazine.  The magazine is a normal internal 5 shot device, fed by leaf spring and magazine platform.   All metal components on this 1903 show an even amount of wear.  The majority of the finish is a green/brown/grey colour,  with no signs of refinishing.  The rifle has an early plain flat steel butt plate with a trap for the oiler.  Attached to the stock are two sling swivels and a stacking hook under the nose cap and bayonet lug.  The milled steel barrel band displays the classic “U” on its side denoting Springfield manufacture  which can be traced back to the early muskets that came from that famous manufactory.

The stock which shows all the early signs of manufacture is a little bit of a mystery because of the final inspection mark on the wrist.  There is a clear “WJS” cartouche  on the left wrist, “WJS ” is known as a Rock Island Inspector but his actual name is unrecorded.  Behind the trigger guard is a clear circled “P” proof mark and a stock repair plug, as on top There is no evidence that the stock repair in any way compromises the usability of the rifle.

Blued bolt with swept handle, safety flag and some cycling wear.  The action functions well and the rifle has now passed British proof.

Stock Code  f 294

£1275.

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