Springfield 1903 Mark I Pedersen Device .30-06 Bolt Action Rifle 1919 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1275
LSB#: 210927MC10
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: 1083325
Year of Manufacture: 1919 (page 373 of Joe Poyer’s book, The M1903 Springfield Rifle and its Variations, 3rd Edition).
Barrel Date: September, 1919
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 / 1083325”. The top of the Springfield Armory barrel is marked “S A / flaming bomb / 9 – 19”. The safety is marked “SAFE READY” and the magazine cutoff is marked “ON OFF”. The underside of the bolt handle is marked “7” and with a punch. The top of the bolt handle is marked N.S.” for nickel steel. The bayonet lug is marked “H”. The barrel band is marked “U”. The left side of the stock, above the trigger, is marked with an early Springfield Armory inspector’s stamp “D.A.L. in a rectangle” and “AA H” which is an Arsenal Rebuild stamp from the Augusta Arsenal followed by the inspector’s initial. The bottom of the grip is marked with 2 “circled P” proofs, “N”, and with a small faded number. The belly of the stock is marked “B 3”.
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. The buttplate shows scratches and surface erosion. The wood shows numerous scrapes, scratches, and compression marks. Several have damaged small portions of the surface wood. The LOP measures 13 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The muzzle and grooves are light grey. The rifling is deep. There is fouling and light intermittent erosion in the grooves and at the muzzle. The fouling should clean up some. The bore shows an M.E. of 0.6.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. The receiver has been refinished. Surface erosion is bleeding through the new finish on the receiver. The metal shows scrapes, small scratches and discoloration from oxidation. 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: None
Our Assessment: This Springfield Armory Model 1903 Mark I is 102 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 Devise and its accessories see youtube.com/watch?v=wLzdGPzHL8U .