U.S. Springfield 1903 Mark I Pedersen Device Cut .30-06 Bolt Rifle 1919 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1377

LSB#: 211006MW02

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: 1038676

Year of Manufacture: 1919 (page 373 of Joe Poyer’s book, The M1903 Springfield Rifle and its Variations, 3rd Edition).
Barrel Date: November, 1918
M1903 Mk I rifles were produced from early 1918 to 1920 with a serial number range from 1,034,502 to 1,197,834 (page 31).

Caliber: .30-06 Springfield

Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine

Markings: The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. / SPRINGFIELD / ARMORY / MODEL 1903 / MARK I / 1038676”. The top of the Springfield Armory barrel is marked “S A / flaming bomb / 11 – 18”. The safety is marked “SAFE READY” and the magazine cutoff is marked “ON OFF”. The underside of the bolt handle is marked “X” and with a punch. The top of the bolt handle is marked “W”. The bayonet lug is marked “H”. The barrel band is marked “U”. The bottom of the wrist is marked with a circled “P” cartouche. The right side of the rear sight base is marked “U” at the rear.

Barrel Length: Approximately 24 Inches

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a pinned blade atop a barrel mounted base. The rear sight is a “U” notched blade attached to a fully adjustable sight ladder marked from “3-27”. 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 pistol grip, finger grooves, nosecap with bayonet lug, barrel band, 2 sling loops, 2 through bolts, and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. There are scattered compressions, nicks, dings, scratches, and light handling marks. Several have damaged small portions of the surface wood. The LOP measures 12 3/4 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some finish loss, light patina, nicks, and scratches. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The 4 groove bore is gray. The rifling is mostly sharp. There is scattered erosion. The bore has an M.E. of about 1.25.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its metal finish. There is mottled, patina, mottled thinning, and finish loss, the finish loss is heaviest on the bottom metal. There are some scattered spots of oxidation and some scattered areas of discoloration from previous oxidation. There are a few little nicks and scratches. There is finish loss on the edges. There is standard operational wear. The screw heads show heavy use. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good to Very Good condition as refinished.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a cleaning kit in the butt, leather sling, Springfield Armory bayonet with a sheath, and a canvas pouch.

Our Assessment: This Springfield Armory Model 1903 Mark I is almost 103 years old. It has seen some use but is a collectible rifle. The rifle can do plenty of work out at the range and still has markings on the metal that add to its history. The rifle 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 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 of WWI.
For an excellent video on the Pedersen Device and its accessories see youtube.com/watch?v=wLzdGPzHL8U .