Classic Firearms has 1903A3's???
- Thread starter calicojack
- Start date
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AND it looks BETTER than the Classic Arms rifles...
I like the non-laminated stock better...
TheOriginalMexicanBob
Ultimate Member
Love me some 1903 and 1903A3 rifles.
This is a 1903 Mark I...with all Mark I parts which is uncommon as most were converted back to 1903 standards during rebuilds.
This is a 1903 Mark I...with all Mark I parts which is uncommon as most were converted back to 1903 standards during rebuilds.
SKIP
Ultimate Member
How can you tell a Mark 1 from other 03s?
TheOriginalMexicanBob
Ultimate Member
Two ways...it says so on the receiver and it has a slot milled in the left side of the receiver as an ejection port. There are a few internal parts different to work with the Pedersen Device but don't affect operation as a standard '03 using standard ammunition.
On a Mark I there is also additional milling in the stock for clearance at the ejection port visible here.
On a Mark I there is also additional milling in the stock for clearance at the ejection port visible here.
Doco Overboard
Ultimate Member
When your going to own a bunch of rifles, they might as well be worth a darn.
SKIP
Ultimate Member
Poop! Mine is a plan Jane 03.
mawkie
C&R Whisperer
OK, here's something to chew on. Looking at Mexican Bob's nice collection of 03's and esp. the MKI a thought came to me. We both own MkIs (I bought mine over 20 yrs ago and it cost me a pretty penny back then, something close to $800 in mid 90s coin) and I've never given thought to owning a rare Pederson Device as they're crazy expensive. Plus, unlike Mexican Bob, mine was arsenal reworked, removing the Pederson bits from the rifle. Last one I saw for sale was at the big MACA show over 10 yrs ago, priced at $35K.
So, if someone came up with an accurate and quality reproduction of the Pederson Device bolt and other bits needed would you give it serious consideration and at what price would you walk away? Esp. interesting now that French 7.65 Longue brass is now available to work up a load that should work in it.
So, if someone came up with an accurate and quality reproduction of the Pederson Device bolt and other bits needed would you give it serious consideration and at what price would you walk away? Esp. interesting now that French 7.65 Longue brass is now available to work up a load that should work in it.
Doco Overboard
Ultimate Member
I seen a guy that was making them as prop, but out of paper! I had no idea reproducing things from heavy paper was such a hobby.
I mean everything from the Sistine Chapel to a Pederson device in minute detail.
But anyway, another person who was in to 3d printing was provided an example and then a another with Cnc Milling was involved and so on and so forth.
I haven't seen any yet, but there were some chaps who were very interested. This was at the same time as pending legislation in MD with computer aided firearm development manufacture was going on so its been a awhile since I have done any follow up.
The mark 1, the assault rifle no-one remembers. I would like to have a reasonable facsimile of a device just because I own a few Mk 1 rifles.
Bertfish
Throw bread on me
Love me some 1903 and 1903A3 rifles.
This is a 1903 Mark I...with all Mark I parts which is uncommon as most were converted back to 1903 standards during rebuilds.
Bob I hate you, know that?
TheOriginalMexicanBob
Ultimate Member
I actually have a box of ammunition for the Mark I rifles...here was only one run made from what I understand and most were eventually destroyed.
Twice I've seen real Pedersen Devices...once at the Baltimore Antique Gun Show some years ago...not for sale...just a display on a Mark I rifle. The other was at the Springfield Armory Museum in MA. Out of about 65k Pedersen Devices made only about 125 were not destroyed by the government. Where most are is probably not known.
buellsfurn
Ultimate Member
Love me some 1903 and 1903A3 rifles.
This is a 1903 Mark I...with all Mark I parts which is uncommon as most were converted back to 1903 standards during rebuilds.
dude your killing me
Not much. They’d need redesigning. You watch the C&Rsenal episode on them? They had one and their gunsmith (Mark certainly seems very talented) worked it over big time and they basically managed one take of it running properly. It was an ingenious design that was literally ahead of its time. the materials and engineering to make it reliable in anyway just wasn’t there.
I am really digging the posts in this thread.
Doco Overboard
Ultimate Member
Every once in a while a mag will pop up. I understand the metal carrying case is nearly worth as much as the device.
I watched the C&R segment Lazarus mentioned. The pederson in the segment didn't have an inspectors stamp on it. Likely on loan from the SA museum which was briefly mentioned.
I had read in more then one text previously the devices were scrapped and burned in France at the end of of the war. Either by Pershing or by other army personnel. The afterwards description was rusted and blackened rendered useless but still kept secret for a number of years later.
I would suspect more than one or two examples came off that pile. I'd still like to find a wooden spare parts container with its contents inside.
TheOriginalMexicanBob
Ultimate Member
The devices weren't scrapped until some time later following WWI. Most of the Mark I rifles were known to be sent to National Guard units...many, if not most at some point had the Mark I parts removed and replaced with standard 1903 parts. Following WWI after the German surrender and German storage facilities examined it was discovered they had a Pedersen Device and no one knew when it was stolen from the Army or by whom or how long they had it.
The Mark I rifles aren't rare...finding one still in its original configuration is pretty uncommon and bring a nice premium.
The Mark I rifles aren't rare...finding one still in its original configuration is pretty uncommon and bring a nice premium.
fpmst930
Active Member
Love me some 1903 and 1903A3 rifles.
This is a 1903 Mark I...with all Mark I parts which is uncommon as most were converted back to 1903 standards during rebuilds.
Um yea. That's a beautiful collection.
larr
Active Member
How can you tell if the mark 1 rifle has the original parts or not? I'm really not into old military rifles but I had 1903 mark 1 giving to me and I have to tell you I'm starting to get interested lol
Matlack
Scribe
- Dec 15, 2008
- 8,557
What does a smith Corona bring these days?
Doco Overboard
Ultimate Member
Generally a Mk 1 will have specific parts for the trigger with pawl, the spindle that secures the cut off that has milling for attaching the device (see picture) and a bolt sleeve with a W and upside down 7 that is supposed to be an "L" and maybe a numerical code, ( 2, 5, 9 etc. ) Usually stamped on the top or bottom of the bolt lug. Could be located on the third bolt jug forward on the barrel sleeve
Stock will be relieved very slightly under the reciever left side wall where the oval ejection port is located. (poor picture) Stock may also exhibit a script firing proof on the bottom of the wrist and have an inspectors mark located just below the cut off switch. (W.E.S. memory here!) Finish should be a oiled black or maybe even parkerized. Barrel date (SA) from late 18 to early 1920
Stock will be relieved very slightly under the reciever left side wall where the oval ejection port is located. (poor picture) Stock may also exhibit a script firing proof on the bottom of the wrist and have an inspectors mark located just below the cut off switch. (W.E.S. memory here!) Finish should be a oiled black or maybe even parkerized. Barrel date (SA) from late 18 to early 1920
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