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Title:	RIFLE, MILITARY -  U.S. RIFLE PEDERSEN T1 .276 SN# 5
Maker/Manufacturer:	PEDERSEN, J.D.
Date of Manufacture:	1925-1928
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 6278
Measurements:	OL:114.9CM 45 1/4" BL: 60.9CM 24"

Object Description:

U.S. RIFLE PEDERSEN T1 .276 SN# 5
Manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield, Ma. - Experimental retarded blowback semi-automatic rifle with 10-round clip feed mechanism. Luger type mechanism. Developed at SPAR by Pedersen in early 1920s to compete with the Garand. Weapon dropped from consideration due to action requiring waxed cartridges. Lower sling swivel missing. Stock a little rough along upper forearm.

Markings:
Receiver: U.S. SEMI-AUTO RIFLE T1/CAL 276 PEDERSEN PATENTS. 5 SA.

Weapon transferred to the Museum on 22 June 1942. At that time weapon was appraised at $50.00.

Notes: "Pedersen military rifles. The first delayed-blowback toggle-lock military rifle was submitted to the US Army in 1925 and led to the .276 T1 of 1928. This was tried during 1928-1931 against primer-actuated and gas-operated .276 and .30 Garands, a. Thompson Automatic Rifle and an improved .256 Bang. Unfortunately, the toggle-lock was difficult to machine accurately, and the waxed cartridge case was unacceptable; as the action was prone to jamming, and the rising toggle was apt to strike the firer's helmet, work in the USA ceased. In the late 1920s, Pedersen went to Britain to assist Vickers-Armstrongs to tool for his rifle. The first two Vickers-made guns were submitted to the Small Arms Committee in 1929, passing their trials successfully enough for additional experiments to be undertaken during 1931-33, but after that the project was abandoned." - Walter

References:
Walter, John. THE GREENHILL DICTIONARY OF GUNS AND GUNMAKERS. Stackpole Books. Mechanicsburg, Pa. 2001.