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Rare 1941 Johnson Semi-Automatic Prototype Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:0.00 USD Estimated At:6,500.00 - 15,000.00 USD
Rare 1941 Johnson Semi-Automatic Prototype Rifle
This is an example of a unique Johnson Prototype rifle. This specific rifle is also one of a hand full of prototype rifles that were manufactured by the "Johnson Automatics" rifle company in Providence RI., prior to WWII, during the early developmental stages of the very successful Model of 1941 light machine gun. The model of 1941 was again a early favorite of the USMC in the early days of WWII in the Pacific theatre and again by the First Special Services Unit in the 1942/1943 time frame. The Johnson Model 1941 machine gun is basically identical to this rifle except this model fires in a "semi-automatic" mode only, making it fully legal to own by anyone. This rifle has the all original gray-green parkerized finish on the metal parts with the oil finished stock, pistol grip panels and short forend with the bolt left in the original, "in the white" polished state. These Johnson rifles were the brainchild of Colonel Melvin Johnson (USMC) an early inventor and weapon designer that utilized some fairly unique features in 1939-1940 timeframe, such as the recoil-operated firing mechanism where the recoil of the round actually allowed the barrel to move slightly rearward to start the unlocking mechanism, as well as the barrel takedown mechanism, both unique to Johnson rifles only. This rifle as noted is a "prototype" design and the top of the receiver is roll marked with the five line patent numbers and dates, next to; "CAL. 30-'06 SEMI-AUTO. /"JOHNSON AUTOMATICS"/MODEL OF 1941/MADE IN PROVIDENCE R.I.U.S.A/X0007", with the right side of the lower receiver marked "LOAD, SAFE and FIRE". One of the interesting designs of this rifle is the "Load" feature on the receiver. When in this mode the bolt stays rearward after the last round is fired from the magazine and after inserting a new fully loaded magazine you just rotate the lever to the FIRE position and that releases the bolt, allowing it to move forward and strip off a new round from the magazine and load it into the chamber of the barrel. It actually functions more like a "bolt release" lever, similar in design to that used on the M16 series of rifles today. The receiver is the distinctive one-piece casting or forging that has the perforated barrel jacket, with the side mounted magazine well (in place of the later designed rotary box magazine) for the 20 round magazines, but also has the right side loading port for use with the 1906 stripper clips to load five rounds a time if necessary. It has the earlier style "Lyman" rear sight that is graduated from 0 to 1000 meters, which is fully adjustable for both windage and elevation with this rifle having the later style base that you would normally see on the standard Johnson service rifle, with the distinctive one-piece, barrel mounted front sight base with the front sight blade on top that has been modified by the additional of a M14 style flash hider and bayonet lug on the front end. It also has the short walnut forend and distinctive walnut butt stock with the lower butt plate to aid in recoil. This rifle also has a later M60MG replacement bipod with the adjustable legs. The receiver, lower receiver/trigger group are both numbered "X0007" and the two piece bolt is numbered "X0007" on the front and rear sections. The front of the barrel guide collar is correctly marked "30-06" along with "39" indicating this barrel was intended for this specific model of rifle. It is complete with a new, reproduction leather sling marked "MRT", and five original 25 round box magazines, stored in a green canvas case.
BBL: 20 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 30 06
Finish: parkerized
Grips:
Serial Number: X0007
Condition: Excellent with 99% of a late gray green parkerized finish overall with minor handling marks. The butt stock, pistol grip panels and short forend are all in excellent condition with a nice matching medium brown walnut color with minimal handling marks overall. An excellent example of a unique prototype Johnson semi-automatic rifle.