18 Johnson Rifles to be Auctioned on Sunday, 1 December 2013!!!

[bubbaandshaff 0]

I was just told about a "huge" auction happening this weekend near me. It looks like the guy was really into Johnsons. There are 18 going on the block, and many manuals and instruction posters. The backstory is interesting too https://www.indystar.com/article/20131112/NEWS02/311120034/

Here is a link to the auction house listing and pictures.

http://www.auctionzip.com/Listings/1947938.html

Chris

[bubbaandshaff 0]

My notes from the Gary Roberts estate auction in Indianapolis (1 December 2013). There were over 1600 lots put up. I left at 5:30pm after bidding had been going on for 6 1/2 hours. At that time, they said they were a little over halfway through! It seemed like one individual took most of the JSARs home. The auctioneer said he came from Alaska. I should have gone and talked to him, but did not get a chance to. Really a once-in-a-lifetime auction. A 10% "Buyers Premium" will be added to all prices.

The Johnson Rifles: (Lot #_Make_Model_Ser. No._Type_Cal._Sold Price)

21 JOHNSON AUTOMATICS 1941 1967 SEMI AUTO RIFLE .30-06 $7500

22 JOHNSON AUTOMATICS 1941 4951 SEMI AUTO RIFLE 7mm $7250

23 JOHNSON AUTOMATICS 1941 5170 SEMI AUTO RIFLE 7mm $6000

24 JOHNSON AUTOMATICS 1941 9412 SEMI AUTO RIFLE .30-06 $3600 (had modern scope and shortened barrel)

25 JOHNSON AUTOMATICS 1941 9289 SEMI AUTO RIFLE .30-06 $7750

26 JOHNSON AUTOMATICS 1941 B2093 SEMI AUTO RIFLE .30-06 $6500

27 JOHNSON AUTOMATICS 1941 B2277 SEMI AUTO RIFLE .30-06 $6500

28 JOHNSON AUTOMATICS 1941 6444 SEMI AUTO RIFLE 7mm $6000

29 JOHNSON AUTOMATICS 1941 5698 SEMI AUTO RIFLE .30-06 $7800

30 JOHNSON AUTOMATICS 1941 6483 SEMI AUTO RIFLE .30-06 $6000

31 JOHNSON AUTOMATICS 1941 9972 SEMI AUTO RIFLE .30-06 $6900

32 JOHNSON AUTOMATICS 1941 5196 SEMI AUTO RIFLE 7mm $5000

33 JOHNSON AUTOMATICS 1941 B5401 SEMI AUTO RIFLE .30-06 $8250

34 JOHNSON AUTOMATICS 1941 B0799 SEMI AUTO RIFLE .30-06 $5800

44 JOHNSON AUTOMATICS 1941 B7732 SEMI AUTO RIFLE .30-06 $5500

48 JOHNSON AUTOMATICS 1941 9505 SEMI AUTO RIFLE 0.30.06 $5000

79 JOHNSON AUTOMATICS 1941 B6364 SEMI AUTO RIFLE .30-06 $5100

122 JOHNSON AUTOMATICS 1941 B5478 SEMI AUTO RIFLE .30-06 $6500

All firearms included a $20 transfer-processing fee.

Other Johnson related items:

1941 Johnson LMG Poster $145

1941 Johnson Rifle Poster $125

Cigar box of JSAR front sights, bayonet lugs, and barrel extensions $250

Two Johnson Manuals $120

M1 Garand poster and Johnson Rifle poster $275

Two Johnson Manuals $100

Four Johnson Manuals $250

Three Johnson Bayonets $900

Six Johnson Bayonets $900

Johnson Automatics Military Ammunition Poster $60

Two JSAR Barrels (one looked to be missing front sight and bay. lug) $90

Two JSAR Barrels $325

Two JSAR Barrels $120

Two or three Johnson Bayonets $550

Misc. gun parts (included new, unfinished JSAR stock and forearm) $6500

Three JSAR Rotary Magazine assemblies $275

Collection of assorted Johnson historical documents and reports $500

[amish-bob 0]

I wish I'd have been there for the misc stuff. Those prices sure look reasonable enough. I really like the posters too!

[Brian Alpert 0]

Thanks for posting the prices on all the Johnson stuff. I really wanted to go and bid but they would not accept my C & R FFL. The prices achieved, along with the 10% buyer's premium, showed that they got top dollar, making me feel much better since I would not have bid nearly as much. I sell JSAR's between $4000-6000. There must be some market in Alaska. The prices on the parts were somewhat more in line.

[Brian Alpert 0]

I checked the 4 7mm rifles against the production log. They were all originally 7mm sold to Chile. They probably have all correct part #s since most saw little if any use in Chile.

[ArtR 0]

Brian, Interesting that one of the 7mm rifles SN was just 25 digits different than my .30-06 model ArtR

[Joseph Scott 0]

Item #29, serial number 5698 part numbers seem to match log. I was called morning of auction by friend who wanted refresher on stock finishes, etc. He bought gun and called Monday night. He stated that it was the best of the lot, pristine, with beautiful bore. I checked some of the numbered parts and they matched the log for gun. The barrel, bolt, trigger housing, magazine, and hammer match log. I gave him more numbers to check. and he will call back. Log does not show a transfer to an buyer from JA, Inc. Would someone else check this, please? New owner stated it had almost no wear marks anywhere. He owns several and we have have exchanged know-how before. I wonder why log shows no transfer to someone and rifle was so nice. At least it didn't go to Alaska. He thinks the Alaska buyer was a big gun shop and guns may show up for resale later.

[ArtR 0]

Wow. I happened to be browsing some of the images in the big auction. Too bad someone from the forum could not have attended the auction...there was some paperwork alone that would have been a valuable addition to a museum....Aberdeen Proving Grounds report on the Johnson Model 1941 for one...and after going through most of the photos, I have to wonder how big this guys "man cave" was?

[bubbaandshaff 0]

The auctioneer said he was told the deceased paid over $5000 for all the historical documents. Of course this was probably a little hype to get the bidding up since they only went for $500. I thumbed through some of it. I was hoping the APG report was on the belt-fed Johnson, as I am looking for info on it.

[Brian Alpert 0]

Regarding #5698, the log I have reports it was transferred to NPC (Netherlands Purchasing Commission) on 4/6/42. Interestingly, #5700 was transferred to New River (The Marines!)

[gfguns 0]

Yes thank you very much for the prices realized. I stayed until about 1:30 and was just too frustrated with the way they conducted the auction so I left. Also these rifles did not go to Alaska. A dealer from Kentucky bought them and he had no idea what Earl was talking about when he kept announcing they were going to Alaska, it got to be quite humorous. I am sure most of you know know the dealer.

[amish-bob 0]

So, who is the dealer????

[gfguns 0]

I am not sure he would want me to post his name here I will send you a PM.

[roverboy 0]

I would've loved to had some of the parts.

[amish-bob 0]

Like this?

Plus I saved back enough parts to build a rifle except for the wood, barrel, magazine and receiver ... plus an extra bolt and firing pins. The LMG parts did not come from the auction