Springfield 1903 Mark I Rifle & Rare Pedersen Device, Magazine & Accessories 1919Our Assessment: When the US Army was looking for a rifle design to replace the 1898 Krag rifle, they looked directly at the Spanish Model 1893 Mauser. This was due to the fact that the performance of the Model 1893 Mauser was far superior than that of the 1898 Krag during the Spanish-American War. The Model 1903 is basically a redesigned Mauser clone. A U.S. Patent Court eventually found that the U.S. Army had violated Mauser's patents and required the U.S. Army to pay the German Mauser manufacturers patent royalties. Payments were stopped once WWI started. The 1903 has a strong reliable action that served the Army for over thirty years in two world wars.The 1903 Mark I was made to accept the Pedersen Device. The Pedersen Device replaced the bolt assembly and accepted a 40-round .30 caliber (pistol caliber) magazine. The cutout on the left side of the receiver is an ejection port. The Pedersen Device was meant to multiply the firepower of the individual rifleman. The rifleman carried 5 magazines for a total of 200 pistol caliber rounds. This was ideal for clearing trenches. Luckily WWI ended before the Pedersen Devices could be used in the trenches. For an informative video on the Pedersen Device and its accessories see youtube.com/watch?v=wLzdGPzHL8U . This collectible Springfield Armory Model 1903 Mark I Rifle was made back in 1919. It comes with a Rare Pedersen Device and accessories that include a 40-round magazine, rifle bolt, mag & bolt belt pouches, special tools, ammo in original box, copies of a Pedersen Device manual, and a Model 1907 sling. This a Rare package that will add Nicely to any military collection.
Make: Springfield Armory
Model: 1903 Mark I. The Mark I Rifle was made with an ejection port cutout on the receiver. The ejection port is needed for the Pedersen Device.
Serial Number: 1113684
Year of Manufacture: 1919. Barrel Date: August 1919M1903 Mk I Rifles were produced from early 1918 to 1920 with a serial number range from 1,034,502 to 1,197,834.
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine
Barrel Length: 24"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a pinned blade set atop a raised base. The rear sight is a U notched blade attached to a fully adjustable sight ladder. When flipped up, separate notches and an aperture on the ladder can be used for sighting.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece hardwood stock has a straight grip, metal nose cap with bayonet lug, stacking loop, barrel band, 2 sling loops, 2 through bolts, and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. The buttplate shows moderate wear. The wood stock shows scratches and compression marks. The LOP measures 12 3/4 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition as refurbished.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The muzzle & grooves are light gray. The rifling is deep. There is erosion at the muzzle and in the grooves. The muzzle shows an M.E. of 1.2.In this writer's opinion, this bore rates 6.5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish. The metal shows scrapes and small scratches. The front of the barrel shows discoloration from oxidation and oil residue. The screw heads show use. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. We have cleaned this firearm and performed a mechanic's check but expect many will want to clean the firearm again depending on their standards.This Mark I retains its original 2-piece sear which can fire both the Pedersen Device and the rifle's bolt.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with a Pedersen Device, 40-round magazine, rifle bolt, mag & bolt belt pouches, special tools, ammo in original box, copies of a Pedersen Device manual, and a 1918 dated Model 1907 sling. The Pedersen Device is marked "U.S.A. 1919-MARK I / 40695 / REMINGTON-BRIDGEPORT / PEDERSEN'S PAT'S. PENDING". It shows scrapes and thinning on the leading edges. It functions correctly. The ammo box markings include "40-CAL. 30 AUTO PISTOL / BALL CARTRIDGES / MODEL OF 1918". The ammo box is full, holding 40 rounds. The rear of the magazine is marked from 5 to 40 in increments of 5. The magazine shows discoloration from oxidation and handling marks. It appears to function correctly.
CA LEGALITY: CA Classified C&R: YES. PPT: NO
RIFLE