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Item: US Army WW1 Pedersen Device Khaki Ammo Pouch
Markings:Stamped at the upper middle back with its maker, "R.I.A." (the famous Rock Island Arsenal), and the date, "9-19" (September 1919).
Condition: This pouch is in Good Condition. All of the sewn canvas interior dividers have been crudely removed. A 2 3/4" seam tear in the back bottom edge. A few small nicks in the lower back body. Moderate bluish and black ink staining around the top flap.Boasts a fully functional darkened brass "lift-the-dot" closure top flap, and sports a fully intact darkened brass wire hanger at the upper back.
Historical Background:The US Army sought to break the stalemate on the Western Front in WW1 by putting enormous firepower in the hands of assault infantry to be used in the proposed offensive known as "Plan 1919". It was to be the final offensive, with almost every US infantryman armed with either an automatic or semi-automatic weapon: a BAR, Thompson SMG, or a Springfield rifle fitted with the Pedersen device. A secret US project had perfected the Pedersen device, which allowed a doughboy to quickly convert his bolt action Springfield into a semi-auto rifle firing pistol caliber rounds. The Battle of the Argonne Forest ended the war before any Pedersen devices could reach the trenches "over there". Each Pedersen device was issued with two canvas ammo pouches carrying five 40 rd mags apiece.We have shown a photo of a US Army trooper in WW1 demonstrating the use of the Pedersen device.
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