USMC M1941 Sniper's Rifle

[50 BMG]

OK I am second in line to want one!!!!

I did purchase a Gibbs reproduction and I have to say after replacing the scope with an period appropriate weaver scope I was very impressed with its accuracy at 200 meters. ( my range is only 200 meters). Not the real deal but it sure was a great shooter.

I do know where there is a 1941 correct sniper without the front mount and scope. If anyone is interested I can try and contact the seller for you. He lost the front scope mount.....

[Norton]

M1903 Rifle for the M1918 Pedersen Device.. Great post master gunner..

You can wonder what if, when you see the Pedersen Device mounted on a 03
Here are a few good photos of it. I don't like the holes in the magazine. I wonder what they were stamped in there for. Round counters?
Also why did the Army destroy most of them ?

[satan]

fabulious you made my night, great rifles

[Norton]

Good Photo found on the web
scoped 03.jpg

[bladeworks123]

I don't know how in the H-E double toothpicks I have missed this thread....I have an original Remington 03-A4 with the modified bolt handle. I am re-stocking it, as the original stock was sporterized. I will have to post pics of it when I get it put back together. It is the version with the Weaver 330 scope. Mine however still has the front sight blade, but no rear sight. I have been told that some of the very first ones made were done from 03A3's already assembled, and the front sight was left on. Mine also only has two lands and grooves.

[Norton]

1963
Not quite a sniper rifle but early Vietnam was the 03A4s last trip to a War Zone with US troops. Still searching for a photo of scoped 03 in Vietnam
Great photo check out the site ladder.. Flipped up and the WW 2 Pacific uniform worn by the instructor
advisor with M 1903 (400x271).jpg

[Buckshot]

This post is closedly related, same scope, same rifle, so adding the referance http://www.militaryfirearm.com/Forum...Lux-8X-Malcolm

[bunkerguy]

One of my proudest acquistions is a World War 1 Springfield 1903 Mark 1 rifle. This was one of the rifles modifed to use the "Pistol, Cal. 30, M1918" or Pedersen Device. The Pedersen device was a self-contained semi-auto pistol that replaced the bolt of the M1903 rifle.

To install the Pedersen, all you had to do was flip the bolt cutoff to the middle position, pull out the .30-06 bolt, inser the Pedersen device, flip the bolt cutoff to the lock position, insert a loaded 40-round magazine, and pull the back of the Pedersen device to the rear to cock the piece and chamber a round. You now had a 40-shot semi-automatic rifle for close range treach fighting. The 40-round magazine of the Pedersen was inserted at a 45-degree angle and projected to the right. The modified M1903 rifles had an oval ejection port cut into the left side of the receiver wall. Rifles modified for the Pedersen device were called the M1903 Mark 1.

The Model M1917 Enfield rifle and M1916 Mosin-Nagant rifles in .30-06 were also converted but in very small numbers. The M1916 Mosin-Nagant rifles in U.S. caliber .30-06 were used in stateside training, but the M1917 Enfield rifles in .30-06 were deployed with troops and became the most numerous American infantry arm during World War 1 (2.5 million were manufactured as opposed to 1.25 million Springfields).

The Pedersen device was supposed to be issued to American troops for the 1919 Spring Offensive on the Western Front. However, the Armistice of 11 November 1918 put an end to those plans. Over 101,000 Pedersen "Pistol, Cal. .30, M1918" were built, but less than a 30 have survived in the hands of museums and collections. Post war, the Pedersen devices, spare parts, and ammunition were destroyed. Magazines and magazine pouches survived.

The M1903 Mk 1 rifles were issued out as the standard infantry rifle. At some time during the 1930's, my M1903 Mk 1 was fitted with a Type C full-pistol grip stock and became a "M1903A1 Mk 1" rifle.

I got the rifle from a friend for a very reasonable price -- because he'd lent the rifle out to a guy that had fired G.I. blanks in it and had not cleaned it properly. It started with a pristine barrel and came back rusty and pitted. I purchased it "as is" for $125 and then worked my butt off cleaning out the rust. I eventually cleaned out the rust, but I couldn't do much for the pitting the blanks had caused. Fortunately, the chamber was not pitted. I shot some .30 M2 non-corrosive Ball through the old warhorse, and I was pleasantly surprised by its accuracy. This rifle is a "keeper".

who owns the rights to the Pedersen Device? is it free market as of now? would you buy one? for say 400 bucks? with 5 mags?

[oldguyknowslittle]

I have a new project that I will post soon it was a sporterized 03a3, I have gotten it close to where it was but i will let you sleuths tell me why i stopped where I did. grin

[oldguyknowslittle]

pict0012.jpgpict0012.jpgpict0013.jpgPICT0015.jpgmy pics, poor quality but for now, will do!