Matt K.

Spotted two rifles at the Michigan Antique Arms Collector's show today.

Both in original configuaration,

One in really nice shape for $4500 and one with a lot of wear for $3500.

What I did see was a bizarre Boyt leather case for something. It was being sold as a "rare" Johnson case by the seller, but I have my doubts. A JSAR fits in it, but it isn't a tight enough fit to make me think it was designed for a Johnson.

Anybody ever see something like this?

One of my 7mm rifles came with the same muzzle cover and I have seen another 7mm rifle that had one, too.

I don't put it on because it causes wear on the finish of the barrel.

Brian,

I'll send you a pic when I get home. Basically, I couldn't pass on it because it had enough parts to make it worthwhile. The receiver is a beater, but salvagable. The stuffer clip feed on the right side has been cut off. I have the resources at work to cast or machine a new one and TiG weld it back on, but my dance card is full already. My workshop looks like a firearms grave yard with parts and partially assembled weapons all over.

Anybody out there looking for a labor of love.....

I picked up a severely bubba'd JSAR last week and rather than try to restore it I was thinking it would make a good LMG clone project for somebody other than me.

If somebody can give me the contact info for a person who can do the work, I might pay to get it done (bubba converted it to a box magazine!), but more than likely, if one of you fellow, ambitious Johnson board members has the desire for a project, let me know.

I'd post pics, but I don't have a photo hosting service. (Hey Webmaster, how about the ability to upload?)

R/Matt

I was thinking the same thing.

My guess is it will get a bid at 15 minutes prior to ending.

Your rifle should have a serial number with no A,B prefix. Looks right for a Chilean rifle. The barrel markings are correct and I actually have one of the muzzle covers, too.

As a no prefix rifle, your gun's production info is available. Be a little patient and check back.

Alasdair's described marks are on original barrels purchased from the Mexican National Arsenal by Johnson for the Chilean contract. Mine are marked the same, but have Navy Arms import stamps underneath from when they were brought back from Chile.

The barrel on eBay has NO marks (on the barrel itself).

Does anybody know how were the barrels made by Apex in Sun Valley marked?

This 7mm barrel is being sold as a Chilean barrel, but it isn't. No markings on the barrel at all (not counting the lug). A real barrel from the Mexican arsenal should be stamped with the arsenal crest, 7 m/m, and a few other marks with "x", etc.

Can this be a Winfield option from the 50s?

7mm Barrel

Sling is up to $280. 10 hours left, but since there are knuckleheads (my apologies to any "knucklehead who may be reading this) who have bid on it, I am guessing it isn't done yet.

BTW, I have several of these "Johnson" slings if anybody is interested!

If I remember correctly it is easy to mistake blanks for grenade launcher blanks. There is a significant powder difference, so if it is GI production you may want to determine they are normal blanks.

Scott,

Johnsons were assembled without any effort to match part serial numbers, so there is a good possibility the gun is correct. Check back periodically and I am sure the assembly record for your rifle will be posted.

The Chilean model fires 7mm Mauser (7 x 57) ammo. Most likely your rifle is still in original configuration.

I've noticed in the parts descriptions of the no-prefix guns that a lot of stocks are recorded as type 2, etc.

What is the difference between type 1(?), type 2, type 3 stocks?

Does this correspond the the numbers stamped on the forward face of the stock opposite the magazine?

Thanks.

Maybe Tanker06 and you should swap barrels (lol)!

OK, I'm ignorant.... what is a W crest rifle?

Well. It does have an original barrel. Think of the .308 barrel as a bonus... if it is inspected and safe to shoot, it will be a relatively cheap shooter and the original barrel will be spared.

Upon second look, take a look at the wood, especially in the photo around the magazine... looks kind of oversized. I may be wrong, but does it look like replacement wood?

There are 3 JSARs on Gunbroker (one is a sporter) and 1 on Auctionarms.

Varying degrees of originality, but a good selection.

Looks like it needs some love, but it is probably worth it in the long-run.

Johnson Stock link

Not out of the price range-some have sold for more. The Gunrunner in Ohio sold one with a replacement barrel this month for $6100, Cabelas has one for $6999, and another sold at auction with a bayonet for $8225 (including the buyer's premium).

I think this is the JSAR that sold on AA (#7350362) for $5500 on 4-16-06.

Tombstone Arms was the high bidder.

The Gunrunner JSAR ended finished up at $6140.00 (no buyers premium) with some spirited last-minute bidding (went from $4300).

Not as high as Sunday's auction results, but like Garands and carbines, justifying my purchasing habits over the last few years.

Gunrunner JSAR

... you'll make a DVD version of your video?

I'd like a copy I can use on my computer and TV.

Well, the Brown Bess was spared...

I was unable to get them to donate the Johnson to me (lol).

Article:

[A total of 1,254 unwanted guns and tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition were surrendered to Hamilton Police during the Service’s one-month Gun Amnesty Program which expired at midnight on Friday, March 31, 2006.

As a result of subsequent media coverage, Hamilton Police Service (HPS) became aware that some of the firearms collected during the month-long program may have significant historical value.

On the matter of the ‘Brown Bess” musket (flintlock), Hamilton Police were able to make contact with the owner who surrendered the firearm for destruction. On review, the owner requested that the musket be donated anonymously to Stoney Creek Battlefield House Museum and Park and that Curator Susan Ramsay be authorized to take possession of the musket from Hamilton Police.]

This article raises the blood pressure.

Lots'o neat pieces going to the fire.

My Webpage

Brings back memories. When I was in 7th grade we were required to take a "speech and debating class." A very popular topic for many of us was giving a gun safety brief. We would bring our cased guns to school and put them in our lockers until class.

We of course cleared this with the teacher first, but this was the suburbs of a major city. Today it is a felony.

My 10-year old son had a book report assignment this year where each child had to pick a former "Newberry Prize" winning book (the biggest award for children's books, established in 1921). My son picked the 1942 winner "The Matchlock Gun", a story about a 10-year old boy who has to defend his family's homestead. I'm guessing this book has almost no chance of being published these days, let alone winning the award.

I'm guessing the lifetime NRA membership is probably a good buy at 10.