Alan1945

Thanks for providing the background on this Ed. 

Please post photos once you recieve your bayonets. I am interested in seeing how they compare to the originals (which are nearly impossible to find up here in Canada).

Thanks Art. Much appreciated. I'll have a look and see what matches.

Hello All,

It has been several years since I have been active here (I've been focusing more on military vehicle collecting over the past 2-3 years, focusing on Second World War to Vietnam era armor). I am glad to see that the forum continues to be in good health. I've recently come across JSAR Serial Number 3529. When someone has a chance could you please post the serial numbers for this rifle?

Thank you and warm regards from Ontario, Canada!

Alan

Thanks for the information Brian. It is much appreciated. It has matching numbers on the Hammer Block, Hammer, Bolt, Locking Cam and Extractor.

I will have to do some more research on the barrel when I have time, but it certainly appears to be a replacement. I don't see the pin slot that you would expect on a Garand barrel. Maybe its an M1903 barrel?

Thanks for the info and photos. This locking bushing is stamped with a serial number ("115E"). There is no Dutch proof mark or serial number on the barrel itself, but there's a faint "R 1 7" and "2" between the locking bushing and guide bushing. The guide bushing is stamped with "30-06" and "41". It was a long day by the time I got my Johnson home (I was very tired), and I didn't even think of comparing the markings on this barrel to the original barrel on my other Johnson!

Here's a photo of the two of them together. #2104 on the top, #0244 on the bottom.

Cheers,

Alan

Hi All,

If you remember I posted on here a couple years ago (exactly) when I bought my first M1941. I've been fascinated by the Johnson ever since, so bought my second one today. My first one was serial number 0244 and was in rather well-used condition with a poor bore:

I just received the second one today and its in better condition overall -- with a rather nice barrel on it! This is serial number 2104. I've had #0244 out on the range a few times now and while it functions great the accuracy leaves a lot to be desired. I'm looking forward to take #2104 out:

I'll take some better photos in the coming days and post them. Could someone please post the serial numbers of #2104 -- I was very interested in hearing the part numbers for #0244 and hope I can do the same with this one?

I've yet to perform a close examination of the rifle, but one thing I did immediately notice is that the barrel on #2104 is different than on #0244:

• Its ~1/3" or so longer on #2104 than on #0244. The front sight is the same distance from the chamber, but the barrel extends further past the front sight.
• The barrel diameter before the front sight is thicker (by ~1/8") on #2104, and steps down to about the same as on #0244 forward of the bayonet lug
• The top of the front sight post on #0244 is "ramped" (the end closest to the receiver is higher than the end closest to the muzzle). The front sight post on #2104 is flat across the top (the end closest to the reciever is the same height as the end closest to the muzzle).

I'm by no means an expert on Johnsons, so don't know why they would be like this. I thought this may possibly be one of Joe Scott's reproduction barrels, but the wear on its finish appears consistent with the rest of the rifle. Is anyone hear familiar with this variation?

Thanks very much,

Alan

Just out of curiosity, where did you get it from in Ontario? I'm located in the Hamilton area.

Very nice work Brian.

The member who owns this Johnson was told to apply for membership here. If he doesn't join I'll ask his permission to post the photos.

Its in rough shape (bad pitting/rust on most of the surfaces, a few big cracks in the stock) but looks complete. As sledge101 said it has "S-6" stamped where the serial number would normally be.

Ed and Joe; No problem. Glad I could be of assistance. It would be great if the A and B-series logs are still out there somewhere. Alan

Is this the article you're talking about Joe? http://www.armchairgeneral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90673 Alan

Here's the rundown on mine:

Matching magazine shell, hammer block and hammer. Not as much as I hoped for, but not bad! The hammer block is the part of the rifle in the best shape (looks 'good as new'), so I'm really surprised that that matches. The barrel doesn't match but it also has the 'E' suffix -- does this E indicate the production block (ie: manufactured around the same time)?

Also, the buttplate on my stock is stamped 1514 -- would this be considered the stock serial number?

Thanks again Walt.

Thanks Walt. Its much appreciated. I'll strip it down tonight and see it matches up. Alan

No offense intended Ed. I just threw my number on here after seeing the very quick reply that Alasdair received and was hopeful that Walt would happen to have my information as well. I am well aware of how this site operates. This is why I did not start my own thread solely asking for my serial number information.

As for resale value, this has absolutely no bearing on my interest in M1941s or desire to know the serial number information. I bought mine as a collector's piece, not as an investment (in fact, I've never sold a single firearm I've owned). If I wanted the latter, I would have started hoarding batches of M1s and Lee Enfield No4 Mark1s back in the 1990s when they were selling for a hundred bucks up here and then sell them now for five to ten times the value!

...And Serial Number 0244

Thanks!

I'll have to see what looks I will get at the Burlington Club next time I show up. Over the past few months I've picked up a number of interesting rifles (among them an all-matching Type 99, and a round-reciever Finnish B barrel M91) but I haven't had a chance to take them to the range yet. It should be a fun afternoon when I do.

Hi Charlie,

This one came from one of the fellows that runs Collector's Source. I bought it directly from him, and actually had a chance to inspect it before I bought it. Nice guy. People often complain about their prices, but for some items they're quite reasonable. From my experience with them, its all high-quality stuff, too (I bought an IBM M1 Carbine a few years back).

How many other Johnson owners are there in SW Ontario? I'm located north of Burlington.

Alan

Ryche, I took it apart over the weekend. The springs looked OK (no obvious signs of cracking/distortion) but I didn't take a close look. If I have time, I'll measure the main spring tonight. I'm waiting for the magazine pin, so I won't be taking it to the range until that's in.

Anyway, enough of me hijacking sledge's thread.

Ryche,

Good job spotting that. Yes it is missing the front pin. The fellow I bought it from has a friend bringing up a replacement from the US free of charge. I'm waiting for an ETA, but it should be no more than a few weeks maximum.

As an aside, I ordered a copy of Bruce Canfield's book that should be arriving today. I'm looking forward to learning more about these rifles.

Thanks for the info -- hope you get everything back together OK. I just picked up my own M1941 over the weekend and have yet to fire it.

Sledge, by any chance is that the one off of CGN? I was following the original thread on that one, and was curious to see exactly what the problem is.

Thanks.

I paid 2500 CAD. I believe the last 'complete' one up here sold for around $4000 over a year ago -- it looked like it was reparkerized and the receiver was pitted. There was also one that had a few problems (I don't believe it was shoot-able in its current condition) that recently sold for 2500, if I recall correctly.

As for this one, I still have to take it to the range and see how it shoots. There might be enough rifling left, but I still think it needs a new barrel at some point down the line.

Just to give everyone an update, I bought the rifle yesterday. Upon closer inspection, its actually in better condition than I originally thought. Some pictures are below:

 

Occasionally you will find used barrels on sites similar to Auction Arms. However, if you are interested, Joseph Scott has new after market barrels for sale. Contact Joseph Scott thru this site.ArtR

Thanks for the info. Reproduction or original doesn't really matter to me since I'll be keeping the original 1941-dated barrel anyway.

I already sent an email last night, but I'd thought I would ask here as well.

Alan