WW1 US M1903 Magazine Extension

[Gildwiller1918]

Here is a item made to increase the magazine capacity of the M1903 Springfield rifle. It is a 20 round magazine extension. Now it supposedly was designed to be used for the trench periscope and air service rifles, it undoubtedly was also designed with the foot soldier in mind. After all, the Germans already had a similar version for the G98. These magazines were produced in very large numbers, however, very few made it overseas before the war ended. 

In order to use this magazine, you must remove the floor plate and follower off the rifle you are wanting to install this on, then insert the extension into the opening, lock it in place and you are ready to go. Now this would definitely give the user some extra firepower, as the rifle normally held five rounds and was loaded by using stripper clips, but in reality, it added a lot of weight and made firing from a prone or crouched position difficult. 

Below is the magazine and the box it comes in, the magazine itself is constructed very well. The magazine also has a protective cover that holds the spring loaded follower down while not in use. Another picture shows the detail of the magazine attached to the trigger housing. Last photos show the magazine attached to the rifle itself. 

[Gildwiller1918]

Here is the German equivalent, for the Mauser 98 rifles, it attached the same way as the US version. On the side is a slot to hold the magazine spring plate catch, interesting design.

This one however is a newly made replica, which is fully usable. Real ones are very expensive and hard to find, but I have me eye open...