walt

Mitch, I'm curious as to what numbers your bayonets match. Do they match your rifles? or do they match the scabbards? Walt

Guys, It doesn't make a hill of beans as whether or not a Johnson bayonet is numbered. Some collectors would prefer un-numbered bayonets and an un-numbered bayo and scabbard in decent shape will bring a higher price depending on condition. Numbers were stamped not etched. Un-numbered was the way they left JA. Should one find two or three sets of numbers stamped only means it may have gone to another person or rifle. If the digits are as you reported etched then YES it will detract from the price. Does it make it totally worthless ? Jim says NO and I agree with him 100%. As I had previously stated these number were stamped in not etched. Don't let anyone tell you different. From what I've seen on the auction websites you did well. If you only got the bayonet for 350. OUCH! If you got the bayo and scabbard then you did well. Check out the websites section on bayonets. When I did this the bayo and scabbards are from my collection. Got to Go! walt

0053, Cranston Arms to JA 9/5/41 Barrel #0192A possible/probable 7MM Hammer block #0259 Hammer #0060 Bolt #0048 Locking Cam #0028 Firing pin# 0236 Extractor #192 Magazine # 0110 Let us know if any of these parts match. walt

Evening Tony, Here,s the skinny on 8944: Transfered from Cranston Arms to JA April 3 of 42 Stock type #2 Barrel #0827F Hammer Block#9938 Hammer #5832 Bolt #7454 Locking cam #A1083 Firing pin #A9603 Extractor #9708 Magazine #9769 Transferred to NPC 4/7/42 Hopes this help walt

Well my new computer iss up and running. I should be posting things about the Dardick pistol and carbine conversion shortly. I think it'll be a good thing. Walt

Ridge, After you disassemble your rifle I'm fairly certain you will find some sort of a mechanical stop. Usually it consist of a small screw through the rear side of the magazine between the 7 & 8 o'clock position. This stop will only allow 5 rounds to be loaded. I have also seen screws placed on the outside of the magazine can which is more visable to anyone (game warden or clam cops) who wants to check that only 5 rounds can be loaded in accordance with local hunting laws. The outside ones are the more unsightly due to the hole left after the screw has been removed. They're not easily repaired. There could also be an internal stop but most times not. If the hole is on the rear face of the magazine it should not pose a problem. This hole would only be seen when you disassemble the rifle. Hopes this helps walt

Ridge, Look at the article Jim and I did for the site. Look under the Bayonet section. It will show you what to look for when buying a JR bayonet. I looked at the picture and it looks ok to me. Walt

Ridge, I'd say if you want it, go for it! It sounds to me like the beginings of a great shooter. Guarantee when you go to the range you will have a crowd around the first time you light this thing off. These rifles will only increase in value. Parts can still be found around the net and from Joe Scott. With prices upward near 5-6K or higher for an original. 2K is not a bad price for a starter JR. Go with cash sometimes a dealer may come down (for cash) in their selling price depending on what he took it in for. Before you fire this weapon I would take it to a reliable gunsmith for a check out. This way it will be safe to fire unless you can do this your self. Another suggestion is to pick up "The Book" and get your self educated on the Johnson. There is a wealth of knowledge in this book. There are a number of great guys associated with this site who can help you (including myself) with your JR. Good Luck Walt

Joe, It will interesting to see where #39 went and I wonder how much of it is original. Maybe Bob can enlighten us. I take it they did not have a serial number list or know any of the internal SN numbers. I agree 9K is way out of line. But you can never tell someone may really want to own it. The only thing I see going for it is having a low serial number. (Lowest I know of is 0022) Without any sort of documentation on its history it's going to be a hard sell. Lets see what Bob L. tells us. Maybe they have something or maybe they have a nice Johnson rifle. Walt

Bob, Aleppo St. was the barrel making facility for JA. The Custom Gun Shop was located on Rt 138 in Hope Valley RI. The building a two story of stone construction that still stands today hidden by trees and shurbs. I believe what is in the building now is furniture refinishing outfit. If one did not know what to look for when trying to find it you drive past it. Next time I'm out that way I'll get some pictures and post them. (soon as I figure out how to do it) Gartman Arms of Weymath MA. is still in existance but under a different owner. Mr. Gartman passed away years ago. Binko Alexander is the current owner. I'm not all that sure what Gartman and Johnson accomplished together other than they made muzzle brakes and maybe machine work (barrels) which I have seen labeled Johnson-Gartman. I have been to their company and have seen the machines which by the way are still operating. The barrel straighting vice is still in use like the one pictured on pg 166. They deal as a sideline in Class 3 weapons (sorry no JALMG's I saw). Walt

Trap door buttplate. I know of one such rifle which exists that has the trapdoor buttplate Bob L. speaks of. The rifles number is B5338. The rifle tho not a USMC piece I'm fairly certain had never left JA was purchased from a Mr. Enar O'Berg by Mr. C. Carlson in 1947. Mr. O'Berg was the tool crib operator at the Barrel making facility on Alepo Ave. Mr Carlson a barrel ($.45 per hr) machinist has had this rifle since 1947. He was a Marine in the Pacific 42-45 and remembers seeing a few Marines carrying the JR's as their primary weapon. On a different note Carl M.and I went to the W. Springfield show on Sat. Some interesting pieces but atlas no JR's. One repo bayo for $200.00 Something may have shown up later in the day or today Sunday. Two books I did find were copies of the Bluejackets Manual. (USN for those of you who don't know) One copy is from 1940 (10th edition) the other is 1943 (11th edition) Chapter 33, pgs 904, 905, "Combat Weapon Classification" has an action description of the 41 JR, and 906 has a picture of the JR. The last sentance of the last paragraph on page 904 states that the Garand (sorry Mel) was NOT a Navy weapon. Thank goodness! Other items of interest in the manual "Gunnery" for rifles, pistol handling, weapon cleaning, basic range rules (there are thoughless morons out there who should never be allowed on any range without first reading the range rules period), and Knots for everyday use. If you can locate a copy of the 43 manual it makes for some interesting reading. Walt

R, The Alepo address was the barrel making facility. The number I think was 7 or 8 Aleppo Ave. The JA building is located on the corner of 2nd and Gardner Ave in Cranston. Over the years additions have been made the building which is still red brick but the Smoke stacks have been removed. It's fenced off but the building can still be seen. The last time (last year) Jay & I was there The Brass works was on strike. Hope this helps Walt

Tom, Small Arms Review great magazine. This is the first time I've seen one with the LMG. As far as I know I have the only known original Johnson Automatics production poster for the 41 rifle. A year or so ago I had made a few reproduction copies of this factory poster which Ed Johnson signed for the guys who bought them. I'm not so sure that this poster is a production one. After looking at it I'm thinking it may or could have been a basis for a recruiting poster for the Marines. The lmg was not only used by the Marines but also the Army in Europe. I think this would be a great addition to a collection should it ever be reproduced. I would definetly want one. You can see other posters from this era if you type Kelly Read & Co.Inc into your search engine. There is a midwestern (Ohio, anywhere is west of CT.) website that has an exibit of these style posters. Walt