Early Johnson Model 1941 Rifle - No Prefix

Description

2/24/26 - For sale is a Johnson Model 1941 semi automatic rifle chambered in .30-06. This is an early example with no prefix. The rifle is in good, well aged condition. The phosphate finish on the metal shows wear and with bare metal and patina showing. The stock has been lightly sanded but in great condition overall. The bore is bright with strong rifling but there are remnants of old oxidation in some of the grooves towards the muzzle. The bayonet lug had been removed. Comes with "Johnson Rifles and Machine Guns" By Bruce Canfield, pictured at the end of the listing. 

The Johnson Semi-Automatic rifle was invented by Captain Melvin M. Johnson, Jr. of the US Marine Corps Reserve, also the inventor of the Johnson Light Machine Gun, in 1936. After development completed, manufacture was commenced in 1941 by Johnson Automatics, Incorporated, and its subsidiary, The Johnson Automatics Manufactured Company, at Cranston, Rhode Island. The M1941 was ordered by the Netherlands for issue to the KNIL in the Dutch East Indies, but the Japanese invaded the islands before the rifles could be shipped from California. At this time, the U.S. Marine Corps found itself in need of a modern fast-firing infantry rifle, and acquired some rifles from the Dutch East Indies shipment for issue to its Paramarine battalions then preparing to deploy for action in the Pacific theatre. By all accounts, the M1941 performed acceptably in combat with the Marines in the early days of the Pacific fighting.