M48TANKER

Here is some info from Mr. Joe Scott:

Thanks dawg180 If the Marbles front sight was installed over a stock diameter muzzle, it could be sweated off and an original sight and bayonet lug put on in it's place. You might have to get the steps turned down on a lathe. Those dimensions are here on the board somewhere. I've done this several times. If you need help just let me know.

I'm curious about this barrel. Since it's an original 1941 Johnson barrel, why can't I see any indication of the "steps" on the muzzle end where the military sight and bayonet lug would have been? Also, I can't see any indication of there having been any drill channels for the tapered cross pins which would have held the sight and bayonet lug. Did Winfield, or some other surplus seller, have some of the original barrels turned down from the center guide bushing out to the muzzle end? Item number: https://www.ebay.com/itm/116068949421?mkevt=1&mkpid=0&emsid=e11021.m43.l1120&mkcid=7&ch=osgood&euid=3e20249fa93b4c2e94a4928fae7d1ad2&bu=43191630959&ut=RU&osub=-1~1&crd=20240216021631&segname=11021

In spite of all of "our" criticisms, I'd be happy to own all of these rifles...at some? price. If you ask us for our opinion, that is a challenge to find all of it's faults and good points too, so you can make an informed decision.

JAG, That is a nice looking rifle. All the screw heads I could see look great. The finish on the wood looks nice and the parkerizing looks good too.(or maybe TOO good?) The stamping looks a bit "worn" and that leads me to think the "parkerizing" job might be "post war." The finish on the wood doesn't appear to have sustained much battle damage. On the left rear of the buttstock, adjacent to the butt plate, there appear to be a couple of small cracks beginning. Of course the front sight has been altered but the rear sight looks original. Sometimes the rear sight was cut in half at the peep hole and/or was filed to a "V" All in all the rifle doesn't appear to be a "battlefield pickup" and is pleasing to the eye. If you like it, you can make up your own story about previous usage when you show it to your friends! I remembered a photo in "Adriaan's Toys" album on this website. I'm not going to question this old war horse's past.

Perhaps the rifle once had a scope? Maybe the owner wanted to retain the original leaf sight if case the scope got damaged? If we could see the top, rear portion of the receiver we might see drilled and tapped scope mount holes. Anyway, it's also missing the sight elevator.

TimH, You might want to check the length of the recoil spring. It should measure a full 12 inches for the rifle to have the best chance at functioning properly. We hear many stories of jams and other malfunctions caused by an aged spring. Usually the culprits will be springs measuring 11 inches....11&1/2 inches....11&5/8 inches....11&3/4 inches, etc. I would field strip and clean the rifle, paying attention to the recoil spring and spring tube...an area that sometimes gets neglected in even the best looking rifles. A good main recoil spring cushions the recoil impact on the firearm and aids in proper extraction and ejection.

The tube "stop" bar has been present on all the sporters which I have encountered. Most which I've seen, have no screws holding the "stop" in place...only wooden plugs recessed flush with the surface. Sometimes it looks like they attempted to match the wood grain and sometimes it appears they didn't even try to match the stock's grain or even come close. I have seen a few sporter stocks which have the plugged hole on only one side...I couldn't find a plug on the other side.

ArtR, that reminds me of a phrase I once heard: "Beauty is in the Eye of the Beer Holder"

I think we can all agree with you on that point.

Bulldog43, Beautiful example of a well kept 1941 Johnson. I agree with ArtR's assessment. My Miltech rifle is absolutely "Like New" and perfect in every way, just as Matconcrete described. I thought that Miltech also offered "customizable" rebuilding. What I mean by that is only replacing unserviceable parts? Now if you just buy an "off the shelf" Miltech offering, it's going to be as near perfect as they can make it. However If a customer sends their personal rifle in to be refurbished, they won't replace the barrel if you don't want them to? I suppose if they deemed the barrel to be dangerous to shoot, they would want to replace it anyway with the customer's agreement. Maybe I'm mistaken on this and hope someone can enlighten me. My other "original" rifles, do show very minor handling marks, small dents and dings, etc. However, I hate buggered up screws and if I can't restore them I will replace them with NOS screws. I do have Johnsons in near battlefield condition and there is not much doubt they have "Been there/Done that." Perhaps if you acquired a really well kept rifle and then it's a closet queen for 78 of it's 82 years, it would probably look as nice as Bulldog's rifle does?

Here is a link to an article by Walt Liss: "http://www.johnsonautomatics.com/bayoadvice.html"

Gentlemen, I just saw this on Gunbroker: "https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/1028961745" Apparently the seller is NOT trying to fool anyone. Please look this offering over well and let me know what you think of it. My gut instinct tells me that this is most likely a reproduction bayonet and an "AGED" sheath. Someone did a pretty good job of distressing it. Note the seller's description is worded so as to not mislead a potential buyer.

Yes Art, I do have some Johnson parts which I've accumulated with no intent but to pass them on to some of you guys.(and perhaps gals?)

I couldn't help it....I did win that auction. The seller: DANCO, often has Johnson stuff.