Fall 2023 Premier Firearms & Militaria Auction
November 3rd, 4th, 5th, & 6th, 2023
This auction will feature an outstanding collection of items spanning multiple categories including Modern, Military, Sporting, & Antique firearms & militaria! Below is just a small grouping of select highlights from the massive offering to be featured in this upcoming sale!
SCARCE WWII ERA JOHNSON MODEL 1941 SEMI-AUTO MILITARY RIFLE
23-2222
Cal. 30-06
S# 0053
Bbl 21 3/4″ replacement bbl.
Fully adj. aperture rear sight graduated to 1,000 meters. Blade front sight w/ protective ears. The Johnson rifle was developed by Melvin M. Johnson, a Marine Corp Reserve officer. The rifle was entered into competition with the now famous M1 Garand rifle but not adopted by the United States Military. The Dutch government ordered a large quantity of these rifles to be sent to the Dutch East Indies. Due to the start of WWII relatively few guns were shipped & a number of these undelivered Johnson rifles were used by the U.S. Marine Corps along with the Johnson light machine gun.
Receiver is marked on top “CAL. 30-06 SEMI-AUTO” / “JOHNSON AUTOMATICS” / “MODEL OF 1941” / “MADE IN PROVIDENCE, R.I. U.S.A.” plus patent information. Marked on right rear of receiver in inverted triangle “CRANSTON ARMS CO.” 5-pointed Dutch acceptance star. Bbl. is marked on right rear over chamber “1944”; marked on top over chamber “30 06”; marked on right side over chamber “JA”. Bbl. appears to be a replacement but has the correct bayonet lug & front sight. No additional S#s are visible from the outside of the rifle but would likely be non-matching as Johnson rifle parts were not matched during final assembly.
Two-piece walnut stock set. Buttstock has added wood on both sides on rear of mag. This was done at the time of manufacture in order to utilize thinner stock blanks. The buttstock is marked with a “4” at the end of the pistol grip. Fine checkered steel buttplate. Military style brown leather sling marked “3 81”.
UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: 7 3/4″ triangular blade bayonet w/ all steel construction. Muzzle ring is numbered “1042”. Brown leather scabbard is unmarked & is equipped with a wire reinforcement in the throat area. Bayonet has 50% original blue & parkerized finishes with light to moderate wear. Scabbard has light wear & scuffing. Stitching is tight.
STATUS: MODERN
