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SCARCE JOHNSON MODEL 1941 SEMI-AUTO MILITARY RIFLE

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 9,000.00 USD
SCARCE JOHNSON MODEL 1941 SEMI-AUTO MILITARY RIFLE

WITH ORIGINAL SALES RECEIPT DATED SEPTEMBER 22, 1948.Cal. 30-06. S# A0614. Bbl. 22". Adjustable aperture rear sight graduated to 1,000 meters. Blade front sight with protective ears. This desirable military rifle was produced under contract for the Dutch government and carries Dutch inspection & acceptance marks. The rifle was purchased from Johnson Automatics of Providence, Rhode Island in 1948 for $100 by the Chief Tool Engineer of General Mills, Inc., of Minneapolis, MN and is accompanied by the original invoice with matching number. The factory invoice is accompanied by a letter from Johnson Automatics thanking the buyer for the purchase of this rifle, and responding to an inquiry by him to purchase a bolt catch which was not installed in the rifle at the factory. The letter also responds to a request to purchase a vertical feed rifle of which there were only 8 remaining out of a lot of 10 handmade pre production pilot models. The letter states that these rifles originally cost 15 thousand dollars each and that the company would not consider any other price for one. The lot includes an original 1941 instruction manual for this rifle, a used bayonet, w/ a leather scabbard and an unmarked Model 1907 brown leather sling of WWII period manufacture. The bolt catch mentioned in the above referenced letter is not present in this rifle. The rifle has seen a limited amount of careful use but is in very nice overall condition. The receiver is marked on the right rear with “CRANSTON ARMS CO” in an inverted triangle (the Dutch National symbol) and additionally stamped above with a small 5 pointed star (the Dutch acceptance mark). Receiver markings on top include “JOHNSON AUTOMATICS” “MODEL OF 1941” “MADE IN PROVIDENCE, R.I. U.S.A” “CAL. 30-06 SEMI-AUTO” and “patent information”. The various S# parts in this rifle do not match as they were not matched at the factory at the time of manufacture. The barrel extension lug is marked “41” at bottom. The barrel is otherwise unmarked. The bayonet lug is present. Matching walnut stock set. Fine checkered buttplate. Unmarked Model 1907 type sling with steel hardware. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Original instruction manual for the Model 1941 rifle with illustrations and fold out parts diagram. Manual is in very good condition. 8" triangular spike bayonet. Bayonet is marked on muzzle ring with “694”. Unmarked brown leather scabbard. Bayonet has 50% of its original finish with wear and handling marks. Scabbard has staining, scuffing and wear. Stitching is generally tight. CONDITION: original finish stock set has very good overall condition with light wear and small scattered handling marks. Metal retains a very large degree of its original Parkerized finish with light high point wear and scattered small handling marks. Very good shiny bore with sharp lands. PROVENANCE: Original factory invoice and original factory letter of correspondence to purchaser. (22-3226/RW). CURIO. $6,000-9,000.