This U.S. Springfield M1903 Mark I rifle is accompanied by a rare example of a Pedersen Device with a 40-round Pedersen Device magazine, two Pedersen Device adjustment wrenches, "R.I.A./1919" marked tan canvas rifle bolt carrier, "R.I.A./7-19" marked tan canvas Pedersen Device magazine pouch, one 40-round full box of rare .30-18 Pedersen ammunition, and a scanned copy of a Pedersen Device manual. The Pedersen Device consists of an 'automatic bolt' with 40-round magazine which when fitted in place of the standard rifle bolt of the Springfield M1903 Mark I rifle, allows the rifle to fire semi-automatically. The Pedersen Device was developed secretly and named the "Automatic Pistol, Caliber .30 Model 1918" with the intent of introducing it on the Western Front for the allied spring 1919 offensive. The Ordnance Department initially issued procurement orders to Remington for 133,450 Mark I Pedersen Devices, but the contract was canceled due to the end of the war, after production of approximately 65,000 Pedersen Devices, 1,600,000 magazines and 65,000,000 cartridges. Springfield Armory continued to manufacture nearly 145,000 M1903 Mark I rifles. 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. The left of the Pedersen Device cocking piece is marked "U.S.A. 1918-MARK I/25538 " in two lines and "REMINGTON-BRIDGEPORT/PEDERSEN'S PAT'S. PENDING" on the right. The M1903 Mark I rifle has the special receiver with oval ejection port, correct Pedersen magazine cut-off (reference page 155 of Brophy's book "The Springfield 1903 Rifles") and correct Pedersen trigger sear. The correct Mark I stock has the indentation below the oval receiver ejection port, boxed "D.A.L." inspection cartouche stamped on the left stock wrist and circled script "P" proof behind the trigger guard. The receiver is roll-stamped with the "MARK I" designation, and the barrel is marked "SA/(flaming bomb)/7-19". Also includes a brown leather M1907 sling. Provenance: The Scott Duff Collection; The Allan Cors Collection; Property of a Gentleman

The M1903 Mark I rifle is very fine, retains 85% original parkerized and black finishes with crisp markings in the metal. The stock is fine as lightly sanded and re-oiled with some light scratches and handling marks. The rifle functions mechanically excellent with its standard bolt as well as with the Pedersen Device. The Pedersen Device is very fine, retains 85% parkerized and black finishes. The magazine is excellent and retains 95% original parkerized finish. Included accessories are fine. This is a desirable example of an extremely rare and very desirable Mark I Pedersen Device with an equally rare 40-round magazine fitted in a Mark I rifle with accessories. The Pedersen Device is one of the most desirable and elusive of all U.S. military arms accessories, and no advanced collection of M1903 rifles or U.S. military firearms is truly complete without one.