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Thread: M1941 Johnson Gunbroker find; what do you think?

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    M1941 Johnson Gunbroker find; what do you think? - Its arrived! - with pics

    Gents, I've rarely posted here, but have been a lurker for a long time. I've been looking for the right Johnson for a long time. I think I finally found the one. I bought this rifle at auction earlier today. I corresponded with the seller over a few emails and got additional pics. The rifle is certainly used but appears to be in pretty good shape. She reports that the bore is dark but has rifling left. We'll see. Johnson 1941 WWII Semi Auto Rifle : Curios and Relics at GunBroker.com


    For that price ($3825), I think its a good deal. If memory serves, its the only decent looking Johnson in original military configuration I've ever seen that has gone for less than four grand. The seller says its S/N is A9910. I know Canfield states that they weren't assembled in S/N order, but this one is close to one of the rifles used by the USMC according to Canfield's table. Wishful thinking on my perhaps though... Interesting enough, a photo she gave me shows the S/N stamped into the right side of the stock. Has anyone ever heard of this?

    Let me know what you think. I've already paid for it, but don't restrain from comments. My heart won't be broken.
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    Last edited by Wubbman; 11-23-2010 at 10:11 PM.

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    Good find! I guess the seller wasn't looking to run up the price. Guessing a refinish on the metal, but if it's otherwise correct, it's no biggie. I don't recall having seen a S/N on the stock before.

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    Alright, it has arrived! Let me know what you think!


    The overall shot.








    Well, at least there is a little bit of life left at the muzzle. The rest of the bore leaves quite a bit to be desired, but the chamber appears rust free at least.


    The markings appear crisp and clean. I don't think this one has been refinished.


    According to Canfield, that star means it was accepted by the Dutch for service in the Pacific Dutch East Indies.


    The rear sight.




    The serial number was on both the front and rear stock assemblies.




    The beginnings of disassembly.


    Disassembly was made easier by 'Johnson Cat.'


    Barrel markings.




    Given how crisp everything looks, I really doubt its been refinished, especially the barrel.


    The first chink in the armor. Will shooting it make this even worse?


    The next chink in the armor. Are these cracks easy to repair?


    The working parts in the stock.


    Has anyone ever heard of the bolts being numbered to the rifle?


    At least I have some storage space in the butt, after I use the disassembled charging handle as a screw driver to take the buttplate off (a very clever tool inclusion in my opinion).


    The Johnson meeting some friends before the safe is closed for the night.

    Thanks for looking this far. Comments are welcome.
    Last edited by Wubbman; 11-23-2010 at 10:41 PM.

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    Matching Numbers

    Years back I had a near new B series M 1941 that had matching numbers on the receiver, bolt and iinternal parts. Many said it was a put together gun, as parts were plentiful in the 50's and 60's. Yours is one of the few that has a matching bolt that I have seen. Looks like a fine gun, but that buttstock crack may worsen if not addressed.

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    From the photos, it appears to be totally reparked and I believe the bolt was renumbered to match. Just my opinion. The stock is too worn for the metal to be so new.
    Put grease or oil on the metal and it will eventually mellow out to a darker color and not look so new gray, Ray
    Last edited by rayg; 11-27-2010 at 11:31 AM.

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    A phosphate refinish doesn't require taking the metal down to bare steel like most reblue jobs. a LIGHT bead blast is all that's required. I'm w/ rayg on this one! Besides, any experienced" Johnson won't be pretty. They were used pretty hard for a while and there weren't hardly enough to go around, I suspect.

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    Johnson Finish

    Here are a couple pictures of a Johnson with all original finish. It is a little darker that the one above.

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    Not so sure about that one either unless the camera flash is making it look lighter. The magazine metal looks too light. Photos of both of the above rifles should be taken with out the flash as the flash makes the metal see too light.
    Here's mine with the way an original finish looks like w/o flash, Ray

    Attachment 17731Attachment 17732Attachment 17733Attachment 17734Attachment 17735Attachment 17736
    Last edited by rayg; 11-28-2010 at 09:27 PM.

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    Gents, thanks for the responses. I will post some photos taken without the flash, but I still think the finish is original. The barrel and receiver are not uniform in color, the markings on the receiver are very crisp and even the tiny patent numbers are still well struck. I've posted the same photos over at johnsonautomatics.com and they're saying its normal for Johnsons to have more wear to the wood than to the metal. I'll try and get those photos posted by this time tomorrow.

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    I've taken some more photos without the flash. What's the consensus?










    Comparison with CMPicon Correct Grade SA.

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