SOLD - Very Rare Vickers-Armsotrong Pedersen Rifle - .276 Pedersen

Description

06/25/26 - For sale is a rare Vickers & Armstrong Pedersen Self Loader chambered in .276 Pedersen. The Pedersen Rifle, or the T1E3 Rifle, was the ultimate competitor to the M1 Garand to become the next US Service rifle. The rifle is unique, using a toggle action that's visually similar to the one used on the Luger Pistol. The "Army, Navy, and Marine Corps Semiautomatic Rifle Board" was in charge of testing and evaluating the T1E3 Pedersen and the T3 Garand Rifle. The board was critical of the Pedersen's breech becoming exposed with the upward toggle action. The need for lubricated cases and heavy trigger pull were also criticised. The board would eventually move forward with adopting the M1 Garand that we know today. Two variations of the Pedersen rifle would be produced, one in a rifle-length configuration with a 24" barrel, and a carbine with a 21" barrel.

For the commercial market, Vickers-Armstrong would produce rifles known as the "PB" and "PA" variants. The PB accepted an en bloc clip that could only be loaded in one way. Pedersen would make an update to the clip design to be able to be loaded in whichever orientation. This example is the PA variation, but the stock was shortened to a carbine-like length. The metal has a nice bluing with slight browning of age. The top of the toggle action and the ventilated handguard show some oxidation spots. The stock is in great shape with light surface dings and wear. No cracks or breaks. The bore is bright with strong rifling.