The Pedersen Device

We here at RIAC love Winchester rifles and rightly so.  Only one manufacturer can claim the title "the gun that won the West," and played such a huge part in our "Manifest Destiny" as American settlers tamed the frontier.  However, attention must also be paid to its American firearms counterpart, Remington Arms.  Remington has produced such notable and widely-used weapons as the Model 1858 New Model Army revolver, Model 700 bolt-action rifle, the Rolling Block Rifles, and the 870 pump-action shotgun.  In fact, in 2012, the U.S. Army awarded Remington the contract to produce 24,000 of the M4A1 and has been designing other exciting guns such as the MSR, ACR, and the RSASS.

However, today's post is not going to talk about their accomplishments, but rather one of their technological marvels that never had the chance to enjoy the success it deserved.  It was a top secret military project that was completed too late to have any true effect in WWI, was mothballed for over a decade, and eventually all but completely destroyed.  The last time a Pedersen Device went to auction at RIAC with its metal carrying case (a rarity!) and an M1903 Mark I rifle capable of firing it, it sold for $48,875!  To up the ante even further, the Pedersen Device we are offering in our April Premiere Auction is even more complete than the aforementioned listing and includes everything shown below.

 Two original 40-round stick magazines, the disassembly tool, a web pouch to carry the stick magazines, which are marked "R.I.A./6-19; a web case to carry the 1903 Springfield bolt when removed from the rifle, which is marked, "RIA/1919," with an original WWI era leather sling.

And the rifle.

What a beautiful piece!  Great colors!  Not pictured: the 1906 dated bayonet

In 1917 a man named John Pedersen called Chief of Ordnance General William Crozier, a few of his Ordnance Officers and some Congressmen to Washington DC for a weapons demonstration he claimed would be of great interest to the War Department.  They were all sworn to secrecy.  At the Congress Heights Rifle Range, before his audience, Pedersen began firing ordinary .30-06 rounds through what appeared to be a standard issue Springfield M1903 rifle.  Very quickly Pedersen removed the bolt, inserted his Pedersen Device, locked it in place with the rifle's existing cut-off switch, slammed in a 40 round magazine, and began filling the air with lead as fast as he could pull the trigger.  He emptied the magazine, replaced it with a full one and repeated his feat.  After the onlookers pulled their collective jaws off the ground, they immediately gave the device a top secret clearance.  In fact, to ensure the utmost secrecy they gave the device a very lengthy and misleading name: "The US Automatic Pistol, Caliber .30, Model of 1918."  In addition to its top secret classification, it also received the immediate recommendation that 100,000 of the devices be procured for the infantry.  On March 26, 1918 that recommendation became an order placed with Remington and the number was soon upped to 133,450.  In June that same year, Pedersen adapted his device for the British Enfield M1917 and an order of 500,000 was placed to be completed once the order for the Springfields had been completed.  These were to be used in a surprise offensive against the Germans in the spring of 1919. However, since World War I was officially ended on November 11, 1918 (Armistice Day, now known as Veterans Day), the Pedersen Device had no chance to truly make its impact felt on the battlefield.

Orders were cancelled, but production continued until 1920 in case further conflicts arose.  Remington eventually produced around 65,000 units in total.  In the late 1920's the M1 Garand was developed which negated the need for the Pedersen Device and in 1931 the Pedersen Device was declared surplus, five years before the M1 Garand even started production.  Existing M1903 Mk. I's were converted back to their original configuration with a now vestigial ejection port.  The government, no longer wanting to pay to store the device ordered them all destroyed.  Nearly all were burned in a large fire, resulting in less than 100 estimated to be surviving today, let alone with their full accessory kit!


More close-ups can be found in the auction listing! Click here!

Auction Description

Outstanding All Complete Model 1903 Mark I U.S. Springfield Bolt Rifle with Ultra Rare Original Pedersen Device with Metal Case Magazine Canvas Pouch and 1906 Dated Bayonet

"Wow what a fantastic find! A complete 1919 dated U.S. Springfield Model 1903 Mark I rifle rig with an original "Remington-Bridgeport" 1918 Mark I Pedersen Device that is in its entirety with the original Pedersen device metal carrying case, disassembly tool, two original stick magazines, canvas pouch for the magazines, and an original canvas pouch for the 1903 bolt when removed from the rifle. What a complete turn-key type set up. As we all know these rare Pedersen Devices were developed at the end of WWI in early 1919. They were officially designated the "Automatic Pistol, Caliber .30, Model of 1918- Mark I", and the Pedersen Device itself consisted of a semi-automatic bolt assembly and detachable stick magazine that was designed to replace the standard bolt in a modified Model 1903 Rifle, that would convert the rifle into a semi-automatic weapon. The device fired a low velocity 30 caliber type pistol sized cartridge designated the "Caliber .30 Automatic Ball Pistol". The device used a 40-round stick magazine, that would have been inserted from the right side of the receiver, with the spent cartridges ejected through the port on the left side of the receiver. The Pedersen Device was classified as a secret weapon and was intended to provide the infantry man with a close range, semi-automatic rifle for assaults on enemy trenches, but still retain the capability of converting the rifle back into a high powered, bolt action rifle for long range combat. The Army planned to introduce the Pedersen Device in the offensive against the German Army in the spring of 1919, however when  WWI ended in November 1918, the Pedersen Devices were placed in storage. In 1931 the security classification was removed from the Pedersen Device and all of the devices were ordered to be destroyed. The destruction was nearly complete as fewer than 100 Pedersen Devices are estimated to be in collections and museums today. The metal case is even more rare than the Pedersen Device itself; most existing Pedersen Devices lack the issue metal case. This Model 1903 Mark I rifle was manufactured by Springfield Armory in April 1910 and has the special "Mark I" receiver markings and the oval ejection port in the left side of the receiver. In addition to the special receiver these rifles had a special stock, magazine cut-off, cut-off spindle, trigger and sear, all required for use with the Pedersen Device. After all the Pedersen Devices were destroyed, the Mark I rifles had the special components removed and were converted back into a standard Model 1903 configuration rifle. This beautiful Pedersen Device has the original dark black-green parkerized finish with the top of the cocking piece roll-stamped: "U.S.A. 1918-MARK I/42384" in two lines on the left side, with the right side marked: "REMINGTON-BRIDGEPORT/PEDERSEN'S PAT'S. PENDING" in two lines. The U.S. Ordnance final inspection proofs of "E.E.C./Eagle Head/S28" are stamped on the back of the cocking piece. Each device was issued with a small stamped metal carrying case. The metal case has the same black green finish as the device. This super rare device is accompanied by an original, Model 1903 Mark I rifle. The receiver is marked in five lines: "U.S./SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY/MODEL 1903/MARK I/1091435" and the barrel is stamped "SA/4-19". The rifle is fitted with a correct WWI Mark I finger groove stock, that has the correct lower left side, that provides clearance under the receiver ejection port; a WWI handguard and fine checkered buttplate. The stock has a small boxed "D.A.L" cartouche on the left side with a small circled "P" proof in the pistol grip area. The rifle is fitted with a correct "W L 3" marked WWI bolt. This excellent rifle still retains the original magazine cut-off, cut-off spindle, trigger and sear, as noted above. This beautiful rig is complete with two original 40-round stick magazines, the disassembly tool, a web pouch to carry the stick magazines, which are marked "R.I.A./6-19; a web case to carry the 1903 Springfield bolt when removed from the rifle, which is marked, "RIA/1919 with an original WWI era leather sling. Also included with this beautiful and very rare rifle is an original M1905 bayonet and second type leather scabbard. The bayonet is marked: "R.I.A./Shell and Flame mark/1906" with the obverse marked "U.S.". The leather scabbard has the long throat with the leather covered hanger intended for the Garrison belt. The back of the scabbard is stamped: "R.I.A./1907/E.E.B.".


What a great piece of American and firearms history!




-written by Joel Kolander

The Pedersen device installed with magazine extending skyward from the receiver.

"This goes where?"

"In total the device added 14 pounds to the infantry's standard load, although this was considered to be well worth it at the time."

SOURCES:

Hatcher, Julian S., Hatcher's Notebook, Military Service Publishing Co., 1947, Ch. 15 The Pedersen Device, pp. 361-372.

http://www.nramuseum.org/the-museum/the-galleries/america-ascending/case-57-world-war-i-allies-the-world-at-war,-1914-1918/wwi-secret-weapon-the-pedersen-device.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedersen_device

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remington_Arms

All black and white photos from:
http://www.remingtonsociety.com/questions/Pedersen.htm

Brothers from Another Mother?

"Winchesters with a number of special and deluxe features are becoming impossible to find as we are rapidly learning.  Collectors are partial to such special features, and Winchesters with even one special feature are being added to collections and disappearing from the market."


Sometimes brothers can be so similar and congenial, you'd swear they were best friends as well as twins.  However, there are also those who give rise to sibling rivalry, conflict, and competition.  From Cain & Abel to Michael & Fredo Corleone, siblings' differences can be even more defining than their similarities.  Today's post will cover two such guns to be sold in our April 2013 Premiere Auction.  Guns that, despite being brothers, could not possibly be more different.

What makes these guns brothers?  First off, they both have the same "parent" in Winchester Repeating Arms.  Second, they are both model 1894 rifles.   Third, these two particular rifles have consecutive serial numbers - 42811 & 42812!  Coming from a major manufacturer like Winchester, one would expect these guns to be nearly identical!  The mind goes instantly to large assembly lines churning out identical guns one after another.  However, not only are these guns dissimilar from each other, but each one is a rarity in its own right.  To encourage this sibling rivalry, I'm going to show favoritism to the "eldest child" and talk about it first.

Winchester Model 1894, Serial #42811
A letter that accompanies this rifle from the Cody Firearms Museum gives a laundry list of special features on this gun "as extracted from the original Winchester records housed in" the museum.

• Rifle
• 38/55
• 1/2 octagon barrel
• Plain trigger
• Plain pistol grip
• Lyman cup disc rear and front sights
• 1/2 magazine
• Shotgun butt
• Rubber butt plate
• Takedown
• Extra light
• Received in the warehouse on June 16, 1898
• Shipped from the warehouse on June 16, 1898 to order number 10023

What this letter does not mention is how rare some of those features are.  For example, the pistol grip stock is supposedly on only 1 out of every 725 Model 1894s.  It also doesn't mention how special it is to have all those options together on the same rifle.  Sure, some rifles have one or two special order features like the rare 1/2 octagon barrel, but to see it combined with the 1/2 length mag, the pistol grip, and the shotgun butt makes this a pretty significant special order rifle back in 1895.  The 38-55 caliber is a rarity in itself.  Not only were most of the light weight barrels found in 30 cal, but eventually the 38-55, the heaviest bullet handled by a Model 94, lost favor to more popular cartridges made popular by Winchester and publications of the time.  George Madis says it better in The Winchester Book when he states, "...any one of these features would bring the gun out of the ordinary... Winchesters with a number of special and deluxe features are becoming impossible to find as we are rapidly learning.  Collectors are partial to such special features, and Winchesters with even one special feature are being added to collections and disappearing from the market." (Madis, 409)  Please keep in mind that he wrote that in the 1960's when this book was first published!  Click this link for more high resolution photos of this classic rifle.

Official Description

Special Order Antique Winchester Model 1894 Takedown Lever Action Rifle with Extra Light Pencil Barrel, Pistol Grip Stock and Factory Letter

"Manufactured in 1895, this rifle is loaded with rare factory special order features which include a half extra lightweight 1/2 octagon barrel, 1/2 magazine, pistol grip stock and shotgun butt. It is estimated that only 1 of approximately every 725 Model 1894s had a pistol grip stock. The top barrel flat is marked with the two line address ahead of the rear sight and "38-55" at the breech. The upper tang is marked "MODEL 1894/-WINCHESTER-/PAT. AUG. 21, 1894", the takedown lever is marked with the 1893 patent date and the serial number is on the bottom of the receiver. Lyman blade front and adjustable buck horn rear sporting sights, all blue finish and mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and pistol grip stock with a checkered hard rubber Winchester shotgun buttplate. The accompanying factory letter verifies the takedown rifle configuration, 38/55 caliber, 1/2 octagon barrel, plain trigger, pistol grip stock, Lyman cup disc rear and front sights, (the former no longer on the rifle), 1/2 magazine, shotgun butt with rubber buttplate, extra light, and that it was received and shipped from the warehouse on June 16, 1898 to order number 10023."

Winchester Model 1894, Serial #42812
In case you were worried about the "little brother" feeling inferior, don't you worry.  It has its own list of features that go toe-to-toe with its big brother's.

• Rifle
• 30 caliber
• 20-inch, 1/2 octagon barrel
• Matted barrel
• Plain trigger
• Plain pistol grip, checkered
• Combination sight
• 1/2 magazine
• Shotgun butt
• Sling and swivel
• 13-inch pull

Just when you thought that things couldn't get any fancier than Serial #42811, in rolls little brother with some pretty spectacular features all his own.  Besides having some similar features like a plain trigger, half magazine, the shotgun butt, and the pistol grip, it also features some perks that big brother doesn't have.  Most notable is the checkered stock and pistol grip along with the matte finish barrel.

Also notice the dashes before and after the text.  This was gradually omitted after #100,000 (Madis, 423)

The matte finish runs along the top of the barrel, displacing where the address would normally have appeared and moving it to the left side of the barrel.  The checkered stock is said to have appeared on "only one of each 780 guns." (Madis, 422)  It also features the sling eyes and confirms this to be a carbine, not a standard rifle with a 20" barrel, which were also available.  Want more close ups?  Check these out.

Official Description

Rare Documented Special Order Antique Winchester Lever Action Short Rifle with Pistol Grip Stock, Matte Half Octagon Barrel and Factory Letter

Manufactured in 1895, this special order carbine has the rare combination of half octagon, half round barrel matted along the top and a checkered walnut forearm and pistol grip stock with a Winchester hard rubber grip cap. It is estimated that only 1 of approximately every 725 Model 1894s had a pistol grip stock. (see Madis' "The Winchester Book" page 424). The upper left barrel flat is marked with the two line address ahead of the rear sight, the nickel steel/smokeless powder marking next to the rear sight and "30 W.C.F." at the breech. The upper tang is marked "MODEL 1894/-WINCHESTER-/PAT. AUG. 21, 1894" and the serial number is marked on the bottom of the receiver. Marble's blade front and folding leaf rear sights, all blue finish, 1/2 magazine tube and the stock is fitted with a checkered Winchester hard rubber shotgun buttplate and factory sling eyes. The accompanying factory letter verifies the rifle configuration, 30 caliber, 20 inch 1/2 octagon barrel, matted barrel, plain trigger checkered pistol grip stock, 1/2 magazine, shotgun butt, sling and swivel, gives the length of pull and stock dimensions, that it was received and shipped out of the warehouse on May 21, 1898, order number 8476. This rifle is consecutively serial numbered to another Model 1894 on this page.

I have made a big deal out of the differences between these two brothers.  Some of their special order features are unique in themselves, but when considering their total number of factory modifications they truly become even more highly desirable collector firearms.  The fact that they are consecutive in serial number is a peculiarity that for me, sends it over the top.  I know that consecutive numbers are collectible in any number of fields: dollar bills, cars, etc.  To have two guns that are not only consecutive, but so unique from one another is just another characteristic of these two guns that is sure to make some bidder very happy in April.

Let me also add, that if you found yourself amazed by these two 1894's, whether for their special order features or the fact that they are consecutive, it is not a coincidence.  They are part of the award-winning Gary Cote Winchester Model 1894 Collection.  We have 38 lots featuring Mr. Cote's extensive collection in our upcoming April Premiere Auction, which includes vintage Winchester cartridges, reloading tools, and much more.

"As time passes and more collectors begin and older collectors add more pieces to their collections, all guns, standard or with extras, will become increasingly scarce and more valuable." 

(Madis, 420)

-Joel Kolander

SOURCES:

Madis, G. (1961). The Winchester Book. (1st ed.). Brownsboro, TX: Art and Reference House.

Winchest Catalogue No. 81, Reprint of 1919 Edition, Winchester Repeating Arms Co., New Haven, CT