1941 Johnson Rifle Support

[rescuerandy2]

Good Morning,

Just began negotiating on Johnson here in Miami. The rifle is complete and functions correctly. However, it is missing it's rear sight and has been tapped for a scope. I have some questions before moving forward with a potential purchase:

1. What do you believe is a fair price. With a trade, I am looking at $6300 out the door.

2. What would the repair cost to fill the scope holes and restore the finish correctly

3. Sources for a rear sight


Thanks,
Randy

[browningautorifle]

A gunsmith with a wire feed welder can fill the holes but you can never make them completely gone. You can also use filler screws and more or less blend the holes but again they will leave evidence. The roll mark may be damaged too. If you refinish there will be difference most times in color at the repair. Good luck on the rear sight. The money sounds like a rifle that is in pristine shape...not with the noted detractions. But then, I'm not in Miami.

[1903Collector]

I agree with Jim that filler screws carefully flush with the surface is a good way and even DIY possible. I doubt that he and others will like the next bit but but Ive had good luck touching the exposed screw surface with Super Blue (cold blueing when the screws are made of the correct steel and then adding Gibbs protectorent that seems to help with color, but also gives me a (false) sense that the finish adhesion and wear is improved. I dont think it can, but it just makes me feel better believing this! I have done this a lot with the many 1903 Springfields with tapped holes in the receiver that have come thru my shop. I wont do it until I am able to do the welding myself.

I have seen some welded tapped holes that look pretty good as well, but in both cases the trick the result with the top of the screw nearly perfectly flush with the substrate surface and no marking of the substrate surface.

The pics appear to show a good correct finish. I religiously avoid re-parkerizing in general, and would NEVER repark simply due to try to mask filled scope mount holes...but that is just me. In my opinion, you would immediately half the value of these somewhat rare rifles.

My M1941 was also missing the rear sight. I would have to dig deep determine where I found it, but there used to be decent 1941 Johnson Rifle rear sights available.
Also typically missing are unaltered front sights and sometimes the bayo lug. I was able to find an authentic front sight and bayo lug on Ebay back then. I had a problem with the tapered pins, but was able to find correct major dia and taper pins and cut them to length.

In my opinion your repair budget could be less than $300 depending upon the current cost of a repro rear sight. There is a listing right now with the bayo lug on GB for $250. I did the same for mine back in 2011. BTW, I just saw an Ebay listing for an original 1941 Johnson bayo and sheath for $300-$450. They used to go for $600 and others on Ebay right now are priced as high as $599-$845. A repro goes for $200. If the one listed for 300-$450 is original Id grab it!

So...price for he rifle...if the only issue is the tapped holes then I might offer $500 less, but Id also be ready to meet his price quick before it is bought by another (based upon current prices I saw today on GB).

[browningautorifle]

Ive had good luck touching the exposed screw surface with Super Blue

That sounds about right, it's been done. Just can be rubbed off eventually.

I have seen some welded tapped holes that look pretty good as well,

I've done some that were more than just a little, did a 1/4" hole in a Winchester receiver that actually covered and after blue, disappeared. Lucky that time.

[ssgross]

You can also use filler screws and more or less blend the holes but again they will leave evidence.

This is the simplest and cleanest way to go about it. File down the heads, and paper polish the area to blend before parking. If done carefully you can make them pretty well disappear. For example, try to find the cross pin on a 1903 rear sight collar. As Jim says, the only giveaway would be where the holes intersect the roll stamping. Welding would be very hard to not bugger up more of the stamping.

[Sapper740]

Is your trade part of the $6300 or is it $6300 AND your trade? And what is your trade?

[rescuerandy2]

$6300 would be the cash he wants, $4800, and my Second Model Trapdoor (50-70) worth $1500. The gentlemen likes Civil War period weapons. Randy

---------- Post added at 04:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:32 PM ----------

I am not looking to make money on the Johnson. Just want a nice, representative piece that shoots well. Twenty years from now, when my time is short, it might be time to sell. Randy

[Sapper740]

$6300 would be the cash he wants, $4800, and my Second Model Trapdoor (50-70) worth $1500. The gentlemen likes Civil War period weapons. Randy

---------- Post added at 04:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:32 PM ----------

I am not looking to make money on the Johnson. Just want a nice, representative piece that shoots well. Twenty years from now, when my time is short, it might be time to sell. Randy

Well, judging by the asking prices on Gunbroker, Johnson 1941's have gone waaaay up in value since I sold mine 25 years ago. Yes, I would do the deal.

[#1oilman]

Check out Vulcan Arms in Maidstone Ontario Canada he does amazing military weapons restorations and I have seen laser applied markings that are beyond belief

[J-ROD]

A nice example recently sold on a local (Indiana) forum for $5k in original shape…it’s hard to see them jump to this price with the receiver modified for a scope.

In the end, if your happy with it, it’s only money.