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Bob, The Winfield Johnson is in the case of miscellaneous rifles on the left side as you're walking out the exit. It didn't appear to have any scope mount or sight mods other than a commercial ramp front. Opposite this same case was an interesting rifle I'd never seen before. It looked like a 9MM carbine version of a broom handle Mauser. I have a buddy at work who recently went to Aberdeen, and was able to get the curator of the museum to take him in the 'back room' where they have their gun collection. He said they did have a Johnson, but he didn't comment on it (he wouldn't have noticed slight deviations from correct). Mike Cobb

Guys, I posted the subject auction this afternoon. Those of you who have not seen a 'crest' may find the photos interesting. As said before, I clearly specified that this is not a documented original Johnson configuration. Thanks for your support. Mike Cobb

I stayed over an extra day from a business trip to Washington DC and visited the NRA National Firearms Museum yesterday. They have two Johnsons, one is a Winfield sporter with a B prefix and the other is a no-prefix in the 8000 range if memory serves in correct military configuration. It's a nice museum for those who may not have visited. A little outside the cluster of museums in the central DC area. I took the Metro to Vienna VA, then a taxi to the museum in Fairfax VA. Condition of the Winfield unit was good. It has been stripped/blued. It had a replaced front sight (commercial/hooded) and rubber buttpad (aging). The military configuration unit is in about good condition. It shows varying finish levels on parts (finish mis-matches) and some missing finish from wear at the expected places. I was a little disappointed in the information provided. One of the most interesting things for me is the history of a particular piece. Computers are provided so you can take the case number and the rifle number and search on the displayed piece. But the information provided is pretty minimal. The Johnson text was about two lines. No discussion of the Netherlands, just a brief mention it was unsuccessful against the Garand, and that it saw limited use with the US Marines. The Canfield book is available (with pasted in autograph) in the museum store. Mike Cobb

Oh, one more thing. A 19" barrel cycles just fine (Alastair was speculating). At least mine in 30.06 does. Mike Cobb

Several interesting posts. I looked at the photos of this auction listing pretty closely. The stock contour looks a lot like that of my W crest rifle, and the grey parkerized finish looks the same too. The barrel on my W crest rifle is also 19 inches. Seems likely this rifle came from the Old Benecia Arsenal. BTW, I hate to do it, but I've got a house investment that's eating my lunch, something's gotta go. I'll be listing the W crest rifle on AuctionArms in the near future. I'll try to be as factual about it's non-standardness as I can. So I ask for your factual support in my endeavor. VR, Mike Cobb

http://www.gunrunnerauctions.com/listings/...emnum=838061541 The above is a link to a M1941 listing on Gunrunner. There are several interesting things about the listing. One, the bolt and barrel are numbered the same, and two, the extra 19" barrel chambered in 308, and three the USN 'experimental' comment. Any volunteers to try and contact the owner / find out the origin of the stories? Mike Cobb

I would have posted this over on the LMG site, but it's pretty quiet over there. Thought some of you might be interested in an auction for miniature LMGs. Plastic, 6' long, leather strap.... auction 6036586448 2 available. Mike Cobb

I don't have a spitfire, but you other collectors may be interested in the box of ammo on Auctionarms. It's labeled as from the Johnson company, and was apparently delivered to a USG arsenal for some sort of evaluation. Sounds like historical stuff! Hope it finds a worthy owner. Mike Cobb

So many Johnsons were drilled / tapped for scopes / sporterized as were so many WWII surplus rifles. My question for you learned gents is this; If I had (I don't, but many of you do) a Johnson with a scope mount, what would be an appropriate scope? What's the noble position on this topic? Should fifties vintage sporterized rifles carry fifties vintage scopes? Will this genre some day be recognized? Obviously, if one were really interested in optical performance, the cheapest Ebay special for $15.00 probably would outperform the 3/4 and 7/8 diameter tube scopes from the fourties through the early sixties (cause of coatings, and objective diameter mainly). But something about them just doesn't don't look right. Do you take the lesser optical performance in favor of authenticity? Are people like me who ponder the subject of the right vintage scope for an older rifle just nuts? No thin skin here, so tell the truth. If you've got a scoped Johnson out there, weigh in here. Fess up, what do you have on it? Thanks, Mike Cobb