Black Tom

I just returned from N.E. Oregon where I met with an 86 yr. old former Paramarine who I had first met about 10 yrs ago at a USFS smokejumper reunion. He had dropped out of high school at age 17 to join the USMC, completed boot camp at San Diego and after A.I.T. volunteered for parachute training (add'l $50/mo. jump pay) and was ISSUED a '41 JSAR at Camp Elliot. Only used the Johnson during training but liked it due to ease of barrel removal. He was issued a Garand when he went overseas, however his company commander did not turn in his JSAR and the man I was talking to saw his c.o. with the Johnson on Iwo Jima. Fought on Iwo for a little over a month--always under enemy fire--and then evacuated due to illness. Seldom saw a live Jap soldier but does does recall killing one with a 200 yd. shot. Got some others when they came out of caves/bunkers under flamethrower attack. Served with occupation forces in Japan after the surrender. Never got his h.s. diploma but talked his way into college. Did not graduate from college but got into law school--he says he was a "good liar". Finished law school, passed the bar, was in private practice for a couple of years then ran for Dist. Atty and was elected. Served as D.A. for 10 yrs then appointed to the Superior Court bench and served as a Sr. S.C. judge for over 30 yrs. Fascinating man and sharp as a tack and I am honored to have been able to have spent some time with him. I recorded our conversation and I hope I can get some of the local high school kids to listen to his story--if I can get them off their cell phones and i pods. It really was America's Greatest Generation. Semper Fi B.T.

When I spoke to Brad Simpson--which was about three weeks ago--he told me that he bought the rifle at the Dunlap estate sale and found out later that it was not supposed to have been sold (the Dunlap family had wanted to keep it) and he was considering selling it back to the family. If that is the case, why would he simply not return it to the family and have them reimburse him for the money he spent? I suggested that if the family did not want it back, that he contact the USMC Historical museum in Quantico, VA to inquire about the museum's interest. He said that he had contacted the museum and that would like to have the rifle BUT that the museum did not want to buy it--they wanted it donated. I don't find the museum's position to be unusual. The museum, just like the USMC Memorial at Arlington, VA is funded by contributions from Marines, and the general public, and does not receive funding from taxes. So if Mr. Simpson is now considering donating it to a "local museum" why would he not donate it to the Marines? I also suggested that he contact johnsonautomatics.com and give the s/n to see if the components that are currently on the rifle match those in the factory records. It does not appear that Mr. Simpson has taken that step, and this seems rather puzzling. Perhaps "Oldtirediron" has raised some valid concerns. Black Tom

Mr. Scott, I trust that your criticism is not directed to me. I simply posted that I was acquainted with a fine man, who I greatly admire, and who had served under Capt. Dunlap during the battle for Iwo Jima and who had told me that he had seen Capt. Dunlap carrying a 1941 Johnson rifle during the battle. I also mentioned that I had spoken to Mr. Brad Simpson and had suggested to him that he post the serial number of the rifle, that he purchased, on this board to compare part serial numbers with the numbers in the factory records. If this is offensive to you, or any other member, please let me know and I will refrain from any future posts. Black Tom

Never having done any business with Simpson Ltd., I can't comment about their integrity. I had read the article in the Galesburg Register-Mail on another web site and was interested due to my friendship with Judge Courson and knowing that he had served under Capt. Dunlap. There were some obvious inaccuracies in the newspaper article, i.e. "jungle" on Iwo Jima, firing single rounds from their 1919 machine guns, 100 men standing up while under fire to "present arms" etc. and Simpson's comment about the Johnson being a "late war" issue rifle. Be that as it may, I did call Simpson's and spoke to Brad Simpson who confirmed that the rifle that he bought did not have a letter prefix serial number. I suggested that he contact johnsonautomatics.com and post the s/n. I don't know if he did make contact. That won't prove that the rifle he has was one of the ones given by Melvin Johnson to the Marines, but if the serial numbers of the various parts shown in the records match the numbers of the parts on the rifle in his possession, it would be a good indicator that he has an authentic Paramarine rifle. Obviously some parts could have been changed between 1942 and now, but it would seem logical that if the rifle was simply in a closet in Dunlap's home for all these years most of the part s/n would match. Simpson did mention that Dunlap had been his math teacher in school and that he bought the rifle with no intention of selling it--that may, or may not, be factual. If Mr. Johnson or the site administrator wish to contact Brad Simpson his phone number is (309) 342-5800. Black Tom

Let me throw in my $.02 on this one. Back in 1957 & '58 I worked as a smokejumper in Cave Junction, OR. The base closed down in 1981 for fiscal reasons and it is now called the Siskiyou Smokejumper Base Museum. About 12 years ago there was a reunion of jumpers who had worked at the Cave Junction base with the reunion held at the old closed base. I attended along with my wife--just a bunch of old guys sitting around drinking beer and telling war stories. I was sitting at a picnic table with a couple of older guys--and let me interject that I am now coming up on 79, so I would have been in my mid 60's at the time of this reunion. There was a man sitting next to me, who I did not know, but who was much older than me. I introduced myself and asked if he had served in either the 82nd Airborne or the 101st Airborne, as a number of paratrooper veterans from WW2 had taken jobs as smokejumpers after they were discharged from the service. In fact our boss had served in the 82nd and had been wounded at Market Garden. The man to whom I was speaking introduced himself as Dick Courson and said that he had served as a Paramarine and casually mentioned that he fought on Iwo Jima. He had been in Charlie Company, 1st. Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Div. and had landed on Iwo Jima on Feb. 19, 1945. I knew that some of the Paramarines had carried Johnson rifles and asked him if he had ever seen one. He told me that he had been issued one while in parachute training but had to give it up when he deployed to the Pacific. Courson also told me that his company commander--Bobby Dunlap (Courson called him "Bobby") had carried one on Iwo until he was wounded on Feb. 22, 1945. Courson told me that Dunlap had crawled out from the Marine lines to locate the source of Japanese artillery fire, found the location of the Jap guns, took a radio with frequencies to reach USN ships off shore, went back to the location of the guns and called in naval gunfire--essentially on his own position--and was then wounded while crawling back to the Marine lines. Dunlap was awarded the Medal of Honor. Dick Courson is still alive and lives in Pendleton, OR. Dick had dropped out of high school as soon as he turned 17 in March of 1942 to join the Marines. After the war he "lied" his way into college and then had to drop out in order to earn a living but then "lied" his way into law school, graduated, passed the Oregon Bar exam. worked in private practice for two years, then ran for district attorney and was elected. He served as D.A. for 10 years and was then appointed to the Superior Court Bench by the then Gov. of Oregon. He served as a Senior Superior Court judge for over 25 years, and he NEVER FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL!!! They don't make 'em like that any more--someone broke the mold I took my then 13 yr. old granddaughter to meet him last summer--she was awed. I saw the article about the Dunlap rifle on a web site a couple of weeks ago and contacted Brad Simpson, and suggested that he post the info. of the rifle on the this web site. I hope that you were able to help him. Black Tom

S/N 4774 is still on GB with no bids. In looking at the pics on GB I noticed that the receiver s/n seems to be offset forward. I don't know if this is normal, and it did not appear to be due to the angle of the pic. In comparing it with the s/n on my JSAR, (3570) the s/n on mine is almost perfectly centered below the "MADE IN PROVIDENCE, RI, U.S.A." with the "3" just below the "R" and the "0" just below the last "E" of "PROVIDENCE". I also noticed that the front sight ramp of 4774 appears to have pin that mine does not have. Maybe these are normal and I only have my one Johnson to compare. B.T.

There were several Johnsons on one table at the Vegas gunshow (Jan. 14, 15 & 16) including a semi auto LMG, a carbine, a 1941 rifle and (I think) one of the rubber band guns. The rifle was s/n 0039 and the price was--are you sitting down?--$16,000!!! I was trying to peddle a shotgun and the show was coming to an end, so I only spent a couple of minutes at that table. Maybe someone else saw these and can offer some add'l details, especially on the carbine. B.T.

I still had sticker shock from the 1941, the show was close to closing and I was still trying to sell a shotgun so I didn't get any other prices. However, based on the prices of everything else at that show I'm guessing that the price of LMG would have been about the same as a couple of years at Harvard. I do know of a semi LMG that is for sale so if you will contact me off board I'll give you the info. Regards, B.T. thomasdandp@hotmail.com

It looked just like any other Johnson and appeared to be original and I think the big selling point was the s/n. I sure didn't see Col. "Chesty" Puller's name on it. B.T.

There's a nice looking Johnson with original bayonet & scabbard for sale on Sturmgewehr for $4,750 plus $100 for shipping. I don't know how to post a link, so check the website: www.sturmgewehr.com Rifle is listed on the "Collector" board. The seller; Trent Warncke is top if the line--a real stand up guy. B.T.

Thanks, I'll try it but at my age (75) I can't even get my shoes on the right feet anymore much less "cut & paste" (huh?) p.s. to Joseph Scott: This rifle has, what I would consider to be, a minor crack in the underside of the stock, just aft of the magazine. The crack shows in the pic's. Can you repair this? Thanks, B.T.

M-48, I think you will find that after the mid 1950's most of the U.S. made ammo. had non corossive primers. The Greek and Korean stuff is non corossive and the cases can be reloaded. The WW2 and early Korean War ammo. is corossive but since the JSAR does not have a gas system, cleaning is not the problem that a person would face when using a rifle such as a Garand. However the cleaning products that are sold today are not that good for cleaning after using corossive primer ammo. Get some WW2 bore cleaner or something that the black powder shooters use. There is something called "Moose Milk" which will work or you can use Windex, it will do the same thing. Just remember to dry the bore and oil it after using any water based cleaner.

Congratulations Sgt.--I know it took a LOT of hard work and a lot of off duty hours to pass that written test and to get the promotion. Now you can look forward to working toward a promotion to Lt. Regards, Black Tom

I'm in! B.T.

Dave You might check with Jim at S.O.G. Armory--there's a remote chance that he might have the spring. jim@sogarms.net Good luck, B.T.

Guys,I have a Rem. model 8 and a JSAR. The operating, or bolt, handles on each are similiar but not identical. The handle on the model 8 is 5/8" in length and on the JSAR it's 3/4" in length. These measurements were made with a ruler and actual micrometer measurements would be different, but they're close enough for govt. work. HTH, B.T.

I have an acquaintance, (a class 3 dealer) who has been offered a Miltech Johnson by one of his customers. Based on the pictures that I have seen, and which I am unable to post, it looks like a typical Miltech restoration in excellent condition--replacement barrel & wood, reparked and no dings, dents etc. It is missing the sling and I don't think it comes with the wooden box. My friend will probably keep it for a while, but eventually he would sell it--he's a dealer and that's his business. Can anyone give me a realistic estimate of the value given the current state of the economy? Thanks, B.T.

Mitch: It's me again. I am REALLY impressed with your prose. Send that to the NRA and see if they'll print it. If they will include your work with one of their never ending pleas for money they might get a few more scooties in the till. B.T.

Mitch: That is GOOD--SUPER GOOD! You deserve a lot of "attaboy's" for that one. Put it on a plaque and sell it! "YOU THE MAN!" B.T.

19PM42: Someone will have a front sling swivel and, judging from the one on my JSAR, it looks identical to the one on my Garand. If your receiver does NOT have an A or B prefix (just a numeral s/n) the site admin. can give you mfg. data on your rifle. To release the bolt, pull back slightly on the bolt handle and press the magazine loading gate cover, which acts as the follower, and the bolt will go forward. Enjoy your bit of history. B.T.

D.D. I just around to checking my original reply post and I DID give you an incorrect e-mail addy for Trent Warncke. I left out a "@". Here it is again and I hope I get it right this time: twarncke@inverse-eng.com Regards, B.T.

You can try his phone: (937) 470-7466 If you still can't reach him send me an e-mail with yiur contact info and I'll chase him down. My email: thomasdandp@hotmail.com B.T.

D.D. I forgot to mention (don't believe the b.s. you hear about the "golden years"--it just means dementia) the stock can be repaired. Check out "The Stock Doctor"--I think he's in Dufur, Oregon. Also check with any good furniture repair shop--any high end antique shop can recommend someone. Put the s/n of your rifle on the board and you will get the mfg. info. B.T.

D.D. Trent Warncke at Inverse Engineering has a stripped barrel. His e-mail: twarnckeinverse-eng.com Trent's a solid guy. Semper Fi B.T.