High Prices Bring JSARs Out of Collectors’ Closets

[flyer338 0]

I have been watching JSAR prices carefully for about five-years. In that time, prices have about doubled. I think the high prices are bringing many nice JSARs to the market. 
Here are some that are available as I write this:

There are three rifles available at Simpson Ltd: https://simpsonltd.com/u-s-1941-johnson-automatic-c33653/ and https://simpsonltd.com/u-s-1941-johnson-automatic-c33653/ at $7495 and $6995 respectively. They both appear to be in nice shape, but neither is original.

RIAC does not have any JSARs in their 7/14 or 7/28 auctions. I bought a nice one from the May Premier Auction number 82, lot 3466, at a hammer price of $7500. There were several other JSARs available at Simpson. A nice one went for $8295 during the few hours between its listing and when I decided (too late) to buy it. There is another (nice original) listed at Simpson for 10k and that is still available (https://simpsonltd.com/johnson-automatics-model-of-1941-betsy/).

Gunbroker has four: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/904273160 has a little over a day left, and despite the barrel being badly rusted it is up to $4693. The second is https://www.gunbroker.com/item/904595928 offered at $6499 despite being bubbaed by the addition of a recoil pad. The third is https://www.gunbroker.com/item/904547482 offered at $9500 with a buy-it-now price of $11900.

There is also a “Daisy Mae” clone offered on Gunbroker https://www.gunbroker.com/item/904923310 with an $8499 opening bid.

Edited July 10, 2021 by flyer338
Auto correct

[flyer338 0]

Rock Island Auction just published the catalog for their September 10-12 auction. Among the very many fine things are four JSARs. On is serial number 0022. Another has the highest expected sale price for a JSAR (no Marine provenance) I have seen so far.

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/83/462

[flyer338 0]

JSAR 5049 just sold on Gunbroker for a hammer price of $5,105. In light of the recent sales prices, I think this rifle was a very good value.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/906747806

 

[Ddivinia 0]

2 hours ago, flyer338 said:

JSAR 5049 just sold on Gunbroker for a hammer price of $5,105. In light of the recent sales prices, I think this rifle was a very good value.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/906747806

 

 

2 hours ago, flyer338 said:

JSAR 5049 just sold on Gunbroker for a hammer price of $5,105. In light of the recent sales prices, I think this rifle was a very good value.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/906747806

 

 

Thanks - I just bought 5049.  I have been watching the board here.  I hope the rifle is a good one.   I need to see if the serial number info is in the ledger.  

I'll report back once I get the rifle.  

Thanks,
D.

 

[flyer338 0]

Another JSAR appeared for sale today at Simpson Ltd. They acknowledge it has a pitted barrel, but it does not appear to have been modified, although it looks to me like the buttstock may have been refinished.

https://simpsonltd.com/johnson-m1941-johnson-c33873/

[bdm 0]

I have been thinking about selling my 1941 Johnson i purchased from a gentleman that worked at Gun Parts  many years ago it is a Winfield restored to military nice rifle he gave me a box of parts the Winfield stock and a Winfield  barrel and a bayonet from Gun Parts 

[flyer338 0]

Another JSAR just showed up on Gunbroker. It is serial 4020 and is a nicely refinished (blued) specimen with a new or refinished stock. The opening bid was $3495 and that has been met.

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/909862283

[matconcrete 0]

I think new records are being set , three jsars this past weekend at rock island, $8000, 10,000, and 14,000. Then don’t forget to add 15 - 18%

[camstuff 0]

12 minutes ago, matconcrete said:

I think new records are being set , three jsars this past weekend at rock island, $8000, 10,000, and 14,000. Then don’t forget to add 15 - 18%

WOW!!!!   That is crazy!!   But good for the JSAR market.  

[flyer338 0]

RIAC charges princely sums for packing and shipping as well as sales tax. Figure at least 25% more than your bid amount by the time it ships - your dealer costs are of course extra.

RIAC bidders know this; someone paid $17-$18K for a JSAR!

The higher priced JSARs on Gunbroker are not moving, although there are a couple of modified guns at shooter prices that are.

[flyer338 0]

A Winfield sporter just showed up on Gunbroker at a shooter price.

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/914245763

[flyer338 0]

At the opposite end of the spectrum is this rifle B4288 listed by Rock Island Auction Company with an expected top bid of $13,000. The stock looks like a lacquer finish has been applied over the original oil.

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/84/1583/us-johnson-model-1941-semiautomatic-rifle

[flyer338 0]

Serial number 5487 is also listed in this auction with hints that the modified sights are indicative of USMC issue. The serial number is not among those listed on page 249 of Bruce Canfield's book. The overall crusty condition adds to the mystique. We shall se whether anyone likes it well enough to bid the estmated top dollar of $13,000.

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/84/1591/johnson-1941-semiautomatic-rifle-with-usmc-modified-sights

[Bruce Canfield 0]

Front sights with the ears milled off may be suggestive of USMC use but are, by no means, definitive proof. The ears can be easily removed today by anyone owning a grinder.  The "salty" condition as stated in the verbiage of the ad is pretty funny.  This is a great example of "buy the gun, not the story."

 

[eb in oregon 0]

The pictures are pitiful. Buyer beware.

[ArtR 0]

Interesting side note: Rifle SN 5487 did leave the factory with bolt SN 5904 (as mentioned in the RIA listing).

[flyer338 0]

Another JSAR showed up on Gunbroker this morning. The pictures are truly pitiful for what the seller claims to be a "museum quality" rifle.

I predict there will be no bids at the $8,950 open.

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/914286663

[ArtR 0]

I saw that one on 10/2 and it ended with no bids

[matconcrete 0]

Stopped by Poulins auction this morning and watched A0571 sell for $4000. Plus 15%, large cracks in stock , more like a break, and missing door and maybe a few other magazine pieces.

https://www.proxibid.com/CLASSIC-MODEL-1941-JOHNSON-AUTOMATIC-RIFLE/lotInformation/64418164

[flyer338 0]

A JSAR (A0806) showed up on Gunbroker this morning with an opening bid of $7,000. It is the same seller with the parts I mentioned in a different thread. I suspect the rifle is a Winfield sporter returned to military configuration and refinished.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/917429898

[ArtR 0]

Re A0806: "the finish is near excellent" because it is probably refinished, as 'black' is not normal

[flyer338 0]

On 11/29/2021 at 8:30 AM, flyer338 said:

A JSAR (A0806) showed up on Gunbroker this morning with an opening bid of $7,000. It is the same seller with the parts I mentioned in a different thread. I suspect the rifle is a Winfield sporter returned to military configuration and refinished.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/917429898

It sold via the "buy it now" option for $8,500. There will of course be taxes and fees on top of the hammer price. The parts have not gotten a bid.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/917429898

Edited December 5, 2021 by flyer338
I left out "not" in reference to the parts auction - my apologies.

[Rarecat 0]

Surprised the parts got a bid, price seemed high to me...

[flyer338 0]

The nicer of the two JSARs (B4288) at the December 3-5 Rock Island Auction went for $17,250 (hammer price plus buyer's premium), not including tax, packing, or shipping.

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/84/1583/us-johnson-model-1941-semiautomatic-rifle

The rifle with the rusty finish and the protective ears hacked off of the front sight (5487) went for $20,700. I think someone bought the story.

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/84/1591/johnson-1941-semiautomatic-rifle-with-usmc-modified-sights

[ArtR 0]

So, if I 'modify' my sights, can I 'claim' that it 'may have been used by the Marines', and sell it for a premium?

I sure hope that new buyers do not become very disappointed....both way over priced in my opinion, but as my dad, a car salesman,  always said, "Everything is for sale, and everything is worth what someone is willing to pay!"