Brian Alpert

I no longer roll my own so theoretical cost was an issue. 8x57mm Bosnian (I think) and Israeli is relatively cheap compared to 30/06 and I have a case of 7.62x51 Nato (Spanish), 70's vintage, that I bought years ago for 12 or 15 cents/round. I have plenty of 30/06 ball in 5 round clips and bandoleers as well as in Garand clips 50's vintage which for some reason, I tend to hoard. I have not noted any difference in recoil with any of them although I am no longer a serious shooter.....Garand Matches and all that business...but a "plinker"

The JSAR was competing with the gas trap Garand in the trials, a flawed design which was soon replaced with the gas port we know today. The later Garands were a far cry from the old gas trap, having been subjected to multiple modifications and improvements during the process of producing millions. Had the JSAR achieved this kind of production, there would undoubtedly been more than a few improvements

I have a 8x57mm Mauser bbl made from a Dror as well as one in 7.62 x 51 (308). I have shot them both and they function flawlessly.

These are made to be used. This is not a 150 year old black powder item made of 19th century steel that you are trying to use with modern smokeless ammo.

The seller has been running that bbl several times in the past year without takers. He ought to consider lowering the price. It is an original JLMG bbl with an apparently decent bore. The heavy pitting on the side of the bbl and collar is more of a "cosmetic" problem which decreases the value. It is worth whatever one is willing to pay.

0068 looks to be in superb condition, much better than one that was ever issued. Perhaps it was papered for purchase by the USMC but the purchase was cancelled or for some reason, never went through.

I can't attest to the accuracy of this as it came from an old Numrich Arms catalogue (back when they distributed hard copies). When MMJ became a consultant/employee of Winchester, part of the deal was that Winchester would take over the inventory of the defunct Johnson Arms. Winchester kept the guns but had no use for the large stock of parts which they sold to Numrich Arms of West Hurley, N. Y.. Numrich in turn sold most of them to Cecil Jackson who had purchased the Dutch JSARs from the government of the Netherlands and needed the parts as many of the JSARs were in sad condition from poor storage. Jackson ultimately either set up or was associated with Winfield Arms. It is believed that Winfield was responsible for the majority of JSARs in the US today. Ed, your comments would be appreciated

Great buy! Numrich has magazines @$45

Welcome Here is the data on JSAR#3089 Received from Cranston Arms 12/12/41 Stock unlisted Bbl #2283E Hammer block #2890 Hammer #5979 Bolt #4359 Locking cam #1786 Firing pin #6789 Extractor #3208 Magazine #9045 Transferred to NPC 12/15/41 It is unusual to find many if any #s which match other than the Chilean contract rifles.

$8K is well on the high side. If you look at selling prices as opposed to asking prices, correct 95%+ JSARS generally go for $6.5K - $7K. If you are investing this kind of money, get some expert opinions from those who know. Sellers often do not.

I don't understand the pictures. The 3rd pic shows a LMG receiver with bolt stabilizer. The 4th pic is a marked semi-auto receiver without the stabilizer as is the 5th.

If the bbl is original with good bore, $1k. If the receiver is salvageable to make a look-a-like, $750. If the mag. support assembly has not been butchered in mounting to the receiver, $2K. Bolt, handle, LC/FP assembly $500. Rear sight $325. You will still have to modify receiver and provide (mill) sight base , find a complete lower, bolt rear, mainspring, rear sight, MG bbl., forearm, bipod, etc. In my experience...and I have had several of these either purchased outright or put together, unless you find a parts set for under $2500, and have a gunsmith who knows what he is doing and can follow directions, you are better off buying one already assembled

Johnson's note is dated 1939, long before the M1941 no prefix, B prefix and A prefix were ever produced. It is obviously referring to one of the Taft-Pierce models, not this particular rifle

Looks to be correct, original and fully transferable. The going rate for these in the past few years has been $38-65K, Transferable LMGs, particularly rare ones like the JLMG really appreciate

Nice looking JSAR on GB https://www.gunbroker.com/item/881505836 Obviously replacement butt stock in sporter configuration, probable replacement bbl, nicely refinished and already at almost $5K. One never knows!

Over $7K! The buttstock and smooth refinish and almost numbered bolt (left off the "B") is strikingly similar to Doc Ross' "Queens Guard Carbine" creations. If the buyer asks our Message Board for an evaluation he/she will get a shock.

This refinished JSAR with a replacement sporter butt stock and probable replacement bbl is at almost $6K! Am I missing something here? this

Mr. Bruce Seiler responds: Thank you for the information about the message board. Even though I acquired the Rifle from you our Non Profit (TNCUF) has donated several other Pristine WW-1 and WW-2 Firearms to the Museum which is a Federal Organization and on the National Guard base. I knew of their 31 year search for a Johnson LMG thru discussions when making our other donations, thus their reference to the Non Profit. This was a big deal for them to acquire your (semi) JLMG. They had the local TV station do a story and our local Newspaper as well where it was front page news. The Museum is also affiliated with the First Special Service Force Association. Am sure Colonel Read, Head of the Museum (whom I dealt with), would be glad to speak to Mr. Canfield for the correct story. His cell Phone Number is: 406-235-0290 he would appreciate the correction. I knew a Bruce Canfield back in my US Secret service days. He was a friend of one of our Armorers, Bob Lutz, of Carlisle, PA. Was Mr. Canfield from that area do you know? I recall he got Bob's Match Grade Garrand after he passed away- which may be a clue. Will be mailing you a Certificate of Appreciation from the Museum (if I can dig myself out this week....snow bound)! Without you they would be up the creek! I told them how your creativity was to their benefit. I requested that they put your name on a placard on the display case for "Special Thanks". Best regards, Bruce

If the op handle spindle will not budge, squirt in some penetrating oil, leave it for several hours, tap and twist it to get it free. It is not the spindle which engages the bolt body but the notched pin. If you need new internal parts, I have them

Semi Look-a-like

Nice find. Every JSAR I have ever seen, including the Chilean contract ones, had the Dutch acceptance star above the Cranston Arms Logo. The data on your rifle is as follows: Received from Cranston Arms 1/9/42 Stock #2 BBl. #2165E Hammer block #2336 Hammer # 6275 Bolt #5486 Locking cam #4768 FP #2388 Extractor #3352 Magazine #8037 Transferred to NPC 1/12/42 How it got to Finland is anyone's guess. This particular rifle was most probably placed in embargo as Holland and the Dutch colonies had 2 months before. Around 800 were purchased from this stock by the US Govt for the Marines and OSS. The remainder were returned to the Dutch after the war, some of which were issued to colonial forces but the majority placed in storage at the Hague and ultimately sold to Cecil Jackson, a British expatriate arms dealer who took them to Canada and ultimately to Winfield Arms in Los Angeles. They were a CIA favorite to arm various supposed anticommunist insurgencies around the world as they were a well made American arm, not associated with the US government. This much we know yet there is an entire unwritten history of JSARs after WWII and the Dutch.

This Nat't Center for Unwanted Firearms is one of the "sidelines" of Bruce Seiler, who is also a class 2 manufacturer. He is in Montana. He acquired a 41LMG look-a-like from me on behalf of the Montana Military Museum which honors the 1st Special Service Force of WWII fame. He may have transferred the gun to them thru this Nat'l Center

Nice looking JSAR on GB https://www.gunbroker.com/item/881505836 Obviously replacement butt stock in sporter configuration, probable replacement bbl, nicely refinished and already at almost $5K. One never knows!

Here is another pristine JSAR from Crosier firearms. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/881209979 He got $12K+ for one several months ago and $6K+ for another 2 or 3 months ago. We'll see what this one brings. This is one of the 7 or 8 he got at that closed (FFL dealers only) auction in Indianapolis several years ago. As I recall, around $7K was paid for each at the auction.

You are correct. I talked with 3 other dealers who were there, Rick Crosier got at least 7 or 8 of them. They were all pretty comparable 85-95% and supposedly correct. The least one went for was $7000+. We were all surprised since at that time, the going rate for prime specimens was $6000-6500. I am referring to sale not asking price. Rick specialized in high end collectibles particularly U S martial. He sold from a list out every few months which went to high end collectors. He got top dollar but he had quality and stood behind his stuff. There are collectors out there who are more concerned with getting a quality item than a bargain. There is an old saw in the gun collecting world which holds a lot of truth. Quality appreciates more than crap and no matter how much you pay for it, your investment will quickly appreciate and far surpass the price you paid. Crap less so My financial portfolio should appreciate like my gun collection.....even at dealer prices