SOLD
6,500.00USD+ buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2010 Sep 12 @ 14:32UTC-5 : EST/CDT
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This is an example of a unique Johnson Prototype rifle. This specific rifle is one of a hand full of prototype rifles that were manufactured by the "Johnson Automatics" rifle company in Providence RI., prior to WWI, during the early developmental stages of the very successful Model of 1941 light machine gun. The model of 1941 was an early favorite of the USMC in the island hopping campaigns and again by the First Special Services Unit in the 1942/1943 time frame. The Model 1941 machine gun is 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 "Pre-1941" model, and as such, is roll marked on top of the receiver with the following; the five line patent numbers and dates, next to; "CAL. 30-'06 SEMI-AUTO. /"JOHNSON AUTOMATICS"/MODEL OF 1940/MADE IN PROVIDENCE R.I.U.S.A/XLMR03". The right side of the lower receiver is 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 reward after the last round if 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 Model 16 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 25 round magazines, but also has the right side loading port for use with the 1906 stripper clips to load five rounds at a time if necessary. It is also equipped with the "Lyman" rear sight that is graduated from 0 to 1000 meters which is fully adjustable for both windage and elevation with the distinctive one-piece, barrel mounted front sight base with the front sight blade on top, that has been slightly modified by the addition of a Model 14 flash hider and bayonet lug. It also has the short walnut forend and distinctive walnut buttstock with the lower buttplate to aid in recoil, which has been fitted with a Browning BAR rifle bipod. The receiver, lower receiver/trigger group are both numbered "XLMR03" and the two piece bolt is numbered "03" on the front and rear sections. The front of the barrel guide collar is correctly marked "30-06" along with "40" indicating this barrel was intended for this specific model of rifle and not the later 1941 model. It is complete with a new, reproduction leather sling marked "MRT", a French copy of the Johnson rifle commercial training manual with a small folding commercial brochure inside and four original 25 round box magazines.
BBL: 20 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 30-06
Finish: parkerized
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: XLMR03
Condition: Excellent plus with 99% of the original gray-green parkerized finish with minor edge and high spot wear overall. The wood components all have a nice matching medium brown walnut color with just a couple of very, very minor handling marks. The bolt face shows no brass marks at all, which would indicate very limited or no firing at all. Certainly a unique Johnson prototype rifle for the advance martial arms collector.
Auction Location:
4507 49th Avenue, Moline, Illinois, 62165, United States
Previewing Details:
Preview: Open to the public Thursday, September 9th from 10 AM to 6 PM and Friday, September 10th from 8 AM to 10 AM.
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
19.5% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Please contact the auction house for the preferred shipper’s contact information
Payment Details:
Payment Information: Auction sales are strictly for cash, cashier’s check or checks (with prior approval of the management), MasterCard, Visa or Discover. NOTE TO ALL BUYERS: Method of payment will be U.S. currency or certified check drawn on an American bank. All sales are final at the fall of the Auctioneer's hammer. Buyer’s Premium: All bid prices “hammer prices” (means the price at which a lot is knocked down to the purchaser) will be subject to a buyer’s premium payable by the purchaser of 19.5% of the bid price. There is a 2.5% discount for payment with cash, approved check or wire transfer. The premium is added to your successful bid and the two together equal the total purchase price. At the announcement of “SOLD”, the highest bidder will have purchased the offered lot. This purchase is subject to all the terms and conditions set forth herein. The purchaser assumes full responsibility thereof and if requested will sign a confirmation of the purchase. The purchaser further agrees to pay the purchase price, buyer’s premium and any applicable taxes before any lot may be transferred. All items purchased by successful bidders must be paid for in full the day of sale. All items purchased by absentee bidders must be paid for in full immediately upon notification.
1. UNDERSTANDING THE TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE. The following conditions of sale make up the entire terms and conditions on which items listed in our catalog and addendum sheets will be offered for sale or sold by Rock Island Auction Company (known hereafter as "RIAC") and any client for whom we act as an agent. Any notices, posted or oral during the sale, are also part of our condition of sale agreement. These are the conditions of the sale. Acceptance of a bidder card or a bidder number constitutes acceptance of the following terms and conditions. The purchaser's rights and our respective rights and obligations hereunder are governed by Illinois law. By bidding at our auction whether in person or by agent, sealed bid, telephone bid or other means, the buyer or bidder agrees that the contract created by these conditions of sale is made and performed in the County of Rock Island, State of Illinois and further agrees that should any dispute arise from this contract the jurisdiction for contractual disputes is Rock Island County.
2. BUYER'S PREMIUM AND SALES TAX. All bid prices “hammer prices” (means the price at which a lot is knocked down to the purchaser) will be subject to a buyer’s premium 17.5% payable by the purchaser. The buyer’s premium shall be reduced to 15% provided the payment is paid by cash or the equivalent of cash (cashier’s check, wire transfer, or approved personal check). If the account is settled by credit card, the buyer’s premium then shall be the standard 17.5%. This is not an aggregate percentage on the total items bid rather a per item percentage rate. The premium is added to your successful bid and the two together equal the total purchase price. Some items are exempt from Illinois sales tax and others may be subject to Illinois sales tax or local sales tax. The tax is computed on the total purchase price. To establish a tax free sale, a copy of a valid reseller's permit or other instrument of information must be provided to our satisfaction establishing a sales tax exemption. Any purchaser claiming an exemption yet unable to provide proof will be required to pay the tax to us and seek a refund from the State of Illinois. Generally, all items shipped out of state are tax free sales. We have been authorized by the consignor to retain as part of our remuneration, the buyer’s premium payable by the purchaser.
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4. TERMS OF PAYMENT. At the announcement of “SOLD”, the highest bidder will have purchased the offered lot. All sales are final at the fall of the Auctioneer’s hammer or at the announcement of "sold". This purchase is subject to all the terms and conditions set forth herein. The purchaser assumes full responsibility thereof and if requested will sign a confirmation of the purchase. The purchaser further agrees to pay the purchase price, buyer’s premium and any applicable taxes. All items purchased by successful bidders must be paid for in full the day of sale. All property must be removed from our premises at the purchaser’s expense no later than 5:00 p.m. five days following the date of sale unless otherwise agreed. If the property is not removed, it may be transferred to a public warehouse for the purchaser at the purchaser’s risk and expense.
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