Why didn't Britain adopt this advanced self-loading rifle? With firearms expert Christian Wellard

Published on October 19, 2022
Duration: 12:10

This video details the Vickers Pedersen Model PA, an advanced self-loading rifle designed by John Pedersen in the late 1920s to 1930s. Despite its innovative design, including a toggle action and intermediate caliber, it failed British Army trials due to its complexity, high cost, and the need for lubricated ammunition. Firearms expert Christian Wellard from the Royal Armouries explains why Britain ultimately rejected this rifle in favor of simpler, more cost-effective bolt-action designs.

Quick Summary

The Vickers Pedersen Model PA rifle, an advanced self-loader from the late 1920s, was rejected by the British Army due to its high cost, complex toggle action requiring lubricated ammunition, and the preference for simpler bolt-action designs like the No. 4 rifle.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Vickers Pedersen Model PA
  2. 00:29John Pedersen and the Pedersen Device
  3. 01:01US Army Rifle Trials and Competition
  4. 01:22Rifle Construction and Manufacturer
  5. 01:56British Interest in Self-Loading Rifles
  6. 02:23British Army Trials and Cost Analysis
  7. 03:00Trial Failure and Serial Numbers
  8. 03:17Rifle Action and Caliber (.276 Pedersen)
  9. 04:37Design Flaws: Lubricated Ammunition
  10. 05:49Complexity and Manufacturing Cost
  11. 06:04Bolt Removal Demonstration
  12. 07:05Intricate Bolt Assembly Details
  13. 07:50British Trial Results and Rejection
  14. 09:25Carbine Variant Overview
  15. 10:09Reasons for British Non-Adoption
  16. 11:16Later Adoption of Self-Loading Rifles
  17. 11:26Royal Armouries Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the Vickers Pedersen Model PA rifle rejected by the British Army?

The Vickers Pedersen Model PA was rejected by the British Army primarily due to its extreme complexity, high manufacturing cost (estimated at £12,200 per rifle in today's value), and the necessity for lubricated ammunition to ensure reliable function of its straight blowback action.

What was the main technical challenge with the Vickers Pedersen Model PA's action?

The rifle utilized a toggle action with a fixed barrel and straight blowback operation. This design required lubricated ammunition to prevent stuck cases, a significant drawback compared to other contemporary firearm mechanisms.

How did the cost of the Vickers Pedersen rifle compare to other firearms at the time?

The Vickers Pedersen Model PA was exceptionally expensive, costing £250 per rifle in 1929, which was approximately five times the cost of other rifles tested by the British Army, such as the Bang Model B1. This high cost was due to its intricate machining.

What caliber ammunition did the Vickers Pedersen Model PA use?

The Vickers Pedersen Model PA was chambered for the .276 Pedersen (7mm) intermediate caliber ammunition. This ammunition, along with the rifle itself, is considered rare today.

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