Pedersen

[Promo]

It was Maj. Gen. Julian S. Hatcher, the famous author and gun expert of the US Ordnance, who was told by no other than John Moses Browning that he considered Mr. John D. Pedersen "the greatest gun designer in the world".

He on the other hand always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time with his inventions. And this rifle follows the same rule.

I did never expect to own one of those, but I must had been in the right place at the right time to get this one ... British trials piece. And for the end, a comparison shot of his most popular two developments in one picture.


Edit 18.06.2023: re-uploaded pictures that were lost in forum crash.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

The requirement for "dry-wax" lubricated cartridges was a bit of a negative.

Later developments like non-corrosive primers, fluted chambers, etc, may have made some difference.

But also remember, the cartridge was the one SPECIFIED by the "ballistics experts" as the "ideal" service cartridge, pre-dating the almost ballistically similar Brit .280 round by a couple of decades. They flatly rejected a couple of 6.5mm / .260 rounds as well. Probably some issue with machine-gun interchangeability.

Let us not forget that John Garand initially designed his "proto-M1" to take the .276 Pedersen cartridge in the same ten-round en-bloc clip. A certain Douglas MacArthur kicked that idea into the gutter and insisted that it was ".30-06 or nothing". The "clip" was "clipped" to eight rounds to eliminate a "projecting magazine housing". The LONG Springfield bayonet was retained. (initially).

Once again; the "spirit of the pike" reigned!

[Promo]

The British however must have liked the caliber size, the Pattern 1913 was already in the same size.

[RCS]

I always liked the 276 Pedersen and with a different powder loading , it could be a very effective cartridge in assault rifles today. The US Govt was not going to dump the 30-06 and new 30M1 in the 1930's too much surplus left over from the Great War. Besides I do not think that wanted the Brownings converted to 276 either. Thinking changed during Viet Nam with the 5,56 rifle and 7,62mm M60.

The 276 Enfield for the P13 rifle is way above the 276 Pedersen with a 165 gr bullet at 2800 fps while the 276 Pedersen has 120 gr bullet at 2550 fps.
left 7,65mm, 276 Enfield, 8x50R, 303
Attachment 84797

[Promo]

Can anyone explain why the safety says "REDY" instead of "READY"? Was that an employee who was an analphabet, or did they decide to do it that way because of a lack of space?

RCS, I somewhere have a .276 Enfield too - it came with my first P.13 I bought. But no idea where it is hiding - it must be in the very rear in some of my boxes. I however didn't knew the .276 Enfield was so much more powerful than the .276 Pedersen, very impressive! No wonder the barrel didn't last long on the P.13.

[Mk VII]

This is the one that sold at Bonham's recently, isn't it? A comparison with the catalogue photograph shows the identical blemishes in the wood.

[Promo]

Correct. But you wouldn't have to check for the wood blemishes, the serial number comparison would have been easier .

[RobD]

Promo,

re: REDY vs READY: this must be the high-water mark of the Simplified Spelling Board, which was trendy 1906 - 1930 in the USA. For, as GODFREY DEWEY, Hon. Secy. United States Simplified Spelling Board, wrote: This is the opportunity which lies before us, and which must be graspt promptly and without fail. And by good fortune the obvious and effectiv means is redy to our hand.

Rob

[attaturk]

Same Pederson that made Pederson device for the '03, the model of 1917 and the Mosin-Negant?

[Promo]

Yes. I pictured a M1903 with Pedersen Device in the last picture along the Pedersen PA selfloading rifle, if you haven't noticed it.