FSSF63Puls

I have a semi auto Johnson lmg clone that I'm considering selling. I tried reaching out to Dr. Brian Alpert who was instrumental in helping me get the gun assembled but learned that he died last year. Since he's the only person I knew that actively sold these weapons at the Show of Shows in KY, I wanted to ask what these guns were typically going for now. I have a number that I want but before making a gunbroker listing, I want to make sure I'm in the right ballpark. 

As stated it's the gun, two mags, and a reproduction bipod. Any help would be appreciated. I'm not even fully seated on selling the weapon yet but I need information to help me determine how to proceed. 

I've seen one at the National USMC Museum in DC as well, I think I took a pic but I'll have to find it. 

I didn't see a forum with just pictures of the FSSF with the M1941 Johnson Auto Rifles so I figured I'd start a thread. I have a lot of other places im active on but I'll try to post any FSSF pics with them using the weapons here.  

Mr. Canfield,

I will message you privately to discuss the details. 

On 1/23/2021 at 10:45 AM, Bruce Canfield said:

The wide web sling with leather ends shown on the photo of  the two FSSF "Forcemen' is the correct sling for the M1941 Johnson LMG but was nothing like the leather sling originally fitted to the NPC M1941 Johnson rifles  Here is a view of the original sling on a Johnson LMG.  A similar view of the original leather sling for the M1941 Johnson rifle is shown on Page 95 of the Johnson book.  By the way, the LMG sling shown here belonged to JAMCO official Chandler B. Gardiner. I acquired it from his son, Chandler, Jr., in 2006.  Both the original Johnson rifle and Johnson LMG slings are very rarely seen on the market today.

Mr. Canfield, 

Is there any way you would be willing to take measurements of the sling and send some more detailed photos? I can provide my email if you don't mind, I had been trying to gather info for a company to make a reproduction for me but we never had an original to use as comparison. 

Also what is the sling? Was it a Dutch cavalry sling or its own entity? I cannot find any information about who made them or what they are designated. 

The US Canadian First Special Service Force used them heavily from 1943-1944. I need to be more active on this forum so I'll try to remember to post some pics in an album. 

I'm very late to the party but does anyone still have a line on one of these "Johnson Slings" or have additional information about them as to what they were, why the FSSF used them, etc? 

SOLD

SOLD 

Taking offers on these Dror parts. I don't want any trades, and I'm not splitting any of these parts up, I need them gone. Open to Paypal. If I don't respond here send me an email at:

se_puls@hotmail.com

Awesome, thank you! I’ve just been trying to get a number since I have a couple of people interested. 

I have an Israeli Dror kit that I was originally going to make into a 1944 Model Johnson but am needing to part with it to secure funds for other expenses. I’m trying to gain a general value of the kit as well as find a buyer. Feel free to comment or email me at se_puls@hotmail.com

Glad to hear from you Mr. Scott! I'm glad you are doing better, I sent you an email about the subject a little while back but was unaware of what was going on, I'll send another soon or will be giving you a call, whatever you'd prefer.

I am currently looking for any leads on a 1st pattern 1941 Johnson LMG bipod reproduced by Joseph Scott. I have a BAR bipod that has been converted for use with the JLMG that I purchased with the weapon I currently have and would be willing to trade that and negotiate any prices from there. Please contact me here or via se_puls@hotmail.com

Next year the FSSF Veterans Association will be hosting the 73rd FSSF reunion in Rockford Illinois and I will be participating at the WWII re-enactment there as well. Our unit plans to go to the reunion and escort the veterans around the event and I am wanting my Johnson reproduction to be perfect so I am looking for either one of Mr. Scott’s reproduction bipods or event blueprints for the original bipods. Any help is greatly appreciated. 

From most photos I've seen with Forcemen using JLMG's they typically had the 1923 cartridge belt loaded with stripper clips. I've tried looking for photos of this canvas carrier in use but have never seen one. It is likely that either an M8 lightweight gas mask bag or a general purpose bag was used for one or two full sized mags and then the rest was loaded via the clips. If anyone has any good combat pics of the Force or Marine Raiders using a container for the magazines please share it! As a Force reenactor I'm always looking for footage or pictures of the troops since they were a pretty well kept secret for most of the war.

I would assume the process would be like blank adapting an M2, having the adapter attached to the receiver then leading up to the end of the barrel so the action will work properly. The toughest weapon I’ve had to blank adapt was the BAR but it’s action is so heavy and tight it had to have hundreds of live rounds fired and multiple tests with different bores and gas settings. I don’t think a simple drill and tap adapter will work on the Johnson though. 

Hey everyone, is there anyone out there with any experience in blank adapting either the Johnson semi automatic rifles, or the semi automatic LMG configuration? 

I mainly wanted this weapon as a display piece to teach people about the 1st Special Service Force's very special weapon, and although it will work well for static display it would be awesome to be able to actually use it at events. Thanks for any and all help.

Was that something that your gunsmith can do? I saw in another post you had the receivers ready although I don’t know when the post was made. So at the minimum, if I got a receiver, barrel, and then the stock and lower I would have a dummy weapon until I got the rest of the parts? Thank you again for all of the help! 

Does this Joseph Scott still make these mag assemblies and if so do you have a link or contact info for him?

That’s exactly what I was curious about. I guess if I can get one that’s got the proper paperwork I’ll look into restoring it and if not I’ll go semi auto. Do any of you have an estimated price point for a parts kit? 

Thanks for the info. I thought maybe because the weapon was an original before being torch cut, then it could be remade. I've been talking back and forth with Mr. Alpert so I'm still trying to figure out the process of building a clone.

I'm interested in buying a Johnson 1941 LMG parts kit. If anyone could even point me in a direction to search for one I would greatly appreciate it!

Also, I've built an SBR and own a suppressor so naturally the next stage is a full auto. That being said, if a Johnson receiver is rebuilt then could I file whatever form it would be with the BATFE to reinstate it as a live machine gun, or would that be considered a post 86 gun and thus be illegal? Thanks for any and all information!