Jim Peden

Wow, that was fast. I've sent you my phone number via email. Thanks to the Johnson Board for this service. Jim

I have a 41 Johnson Bayonet and Sheath which I'm thinking of putting up on Ebay but my neighbor said I should let you guys know first. I'd like to get $400 for the set. Email me at peden@middlebury.net if you're interested. Thanks.

Yes on close examination, this looks more like an original that was rode hard and put away wet. High resolution looks more like rust pitting that has been cleaned up, as Art suggests. It might have been chucked in a vice for a vigorous wire brushing, wonder if rather than the hole simply being simply off center, part of one side was sanded down.. More vice chucking with heavy handed brushing might even have been able to bend the shaft.

This may indeed be a new Chinese or Pakistani variant, and if it is, the "domed rivet test" may be now history. You are correct to be suspicious, for if the "flat" side isn't flat enough to fit on a barrel, that strongly suggests that the manufacturer did not have a JSAR on hand to test his new creation. My neighbor has one of the finest JSAR bayonets I've ever seen - very mint with an equally attractive sheath. I've never seen one better. There were a few, perhaps, that weren't used for tent pegs, but they appear to be quite rare, as are minty JSARs themselves. I've no personal objection to militaria reproductions, as long as they are clearly identifiable as such and not easily transformed into pieces to be sold as originals. Indeed, as a Civil War Reenactor, I have a passel of weapons ranging from Colt and Remington pistols to a percussion Sharps carbine, and I am delighted to have weapons I can carry on the field without adding wear and tear to an authentic piece of history.

see http://www.gunrunnerauctions.com/listings/...emnum=899142467

See Link to listing on Ebay

All correspondence from historically significant individuals is of intrinsic value, and Melvin Johnson is certainly a legend in the ranks of those who study the history of firearms design. As to a cash value, I could not hazard a guess. I'm sure many members of this forum would be interested in what it says, if you are willing to share the content or post a copy of it to be viewed by all. Most of us readily share with each other what we learn about the history of the Johnson designs, for the mutual benefit of each other and for history in general.

Reading a borrowed copy of William B. Edwards' 1962 book Civil War Guns this morning, I came across an interesting side note: It was a photo of a Gatling Gun with a drive belt and wheel replacing the hand crank handle, and the statement "Col. Mel Johnson in 1949 took a regular M 1883 Gatling and hooked up electric motor drive to achieve fantastic rate of fire. Notion led to development of electric Vulcan gun for F105 jet fighter armament." Is this our Melvin Johnson? The inventor of the Vulcan, as well?

I believe that is the ultra-rare full race model, with extra barrel cooling and a quick detachable rotary magazine. Should fetch a premium price, they'll probably throw in the Brooklyn Bridge with it.

Interesting item on Ebay, described as ORIGINAL WW2 JOHNSON RIFLE BAYONET & SCABBARD This is an Johnson semi automatic rifle bayonet that has been modified by adding a British No 9 Mk1 blade . Possibly experimental as I have two of the same (one I am keeping). The blade still has traces of old cosmoline. A very unusual bayonet one of two that I know of! http://cgi.ebay.com/UNUSUAL-MODIFIED-JOHNS...1QQcmdZViewItem

You've come to the right place. The experts on this forum will be able to give you the straight scoop. I'm not one of the experts, but the JSAR receivers were not polished, so a "sand" finish is more or less consistent with originals. The stock looks like it may have had a coating of linseed oil or similar, based on the shine. But the lack of externally visible inspector stamps or markings on the stock is not in itself proof that it has been sanded. I'll quit while I'm ahead. The real experts will be along shortly. You have a nice weapon, just the same. Count your blessings, these firearms are fairly scarce and growing in value every day.

Blessings on all of you who strive to ride hard, shoot straight, and tell the truth. My personal holiday tome is on the net at http://www.susanpeden.com/christmas-2007 Special blessings for Jim Pullen, who makes this forum the Band of Brothers it has become. Jim Peden

My caveat in the previous post was "air superiority", indeed, when we control the airspace, our armored forces can make anyone who doesn't pee in their pants. As far as IED survival is concerned, I'd much rather be cruising the boulevard in an M-1 than an up-armored Hummer, ay'yup. It's interesting to note that they aren't making any new Abrams at this time - just rebuilding them to like-new condition. They are remarkable in their general survivability, the core components are hard to break. Personally, I wouldn't be caught dead in a tank ( pun intended ) but my (Navy) hat's off to those guys who man them. And Rick's right about the vulnerability of the surface Navy today - 2 ragheads in a bum boat almost sank the USS Cole. Too bad the liberals sank Reagan's plan for SDI (Star Wars). Would be nice to be able to toast a missile shortly after liftoff. .. but that opportunity has, unfortunately, passed. Chalk one up for the liberals... the terrorists' best friend.

Too bad tanks are now obsolete if you don't have air superiority. Today a UAV can take out any tank, with one lone SF operator on the ground manning the designator. Target recognition software can now even eliminate the need for a separate designator. This museum is a wonderful collection of a bygone era. I'd love to see it sometime.

Our webmaster will have to rule on the "can I sell on this forum" question, but there's no doubt the bayonets and sheaths are even rarer than the weapons. Actual value will hinge a lot on the quality of the sheath. One of my neighbors has an amazingly pristine example - museum quality and 100% genuine, and it's got to be worth a heck of a lot more than my average-condition set. They occasionally come up on Ebay, usually sell in the neighborhood of $400 more or less, but sometimes a bargain will slip through. If you post some photos of it, the experts on this forum can undoubtedly give you a value opinion.