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LOT 333
First Production Block World War II U.S. Johnson Automatics Model 1941
Semi-Automatic Rifle with Bayonet - Serial no. 1729, 30-06 Springfield cal., 22
inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut stock. Originally up for consideration by the
Netherlands Purchasing Commission as a service weapon for colonial troops in the Dutch East
Indies, a large order for the Johnson Rifle was placed in 1940, but the Japanese invasion of the East Indies prevented
delivery. These rifles were not able to gain interest for adoption by the U.S. Army, who favored the M1 Garand, but a small amount of them
were subsequently used by the U.S.M.C. Marine Raider and Parachute Battalions in the early Makin Island, Guadalcanal and
Island hopping campaigns in the Pacific. One source reports approximately 21,400 Johnson semi-automatic rifles in
total were manufactured, and approximately 750 were procured by the U.S. Marine Corps (Canfield’s book). These rifles
employed several unique features such as the rotary magazine which allows reloading at any time, and a recoiling barrel
that has the ability to be easily removed from the rifle by hand for takedown, which allows the rifle to be stowed in a
parachute jump bag. The rear right side of the receiver is marked “CRANSTON/ARMS/CO.” in a triangle and with a small
five-pointed Dutch star as commonly seen on Johnson rifles, and the top of the receiver is marked “CAL. 30-’06 SEMI-
AUTO./”JOHNSON AUTOMATICS”/MODEL OF 1941/MADE IN PROVIDENCE, R.I., U.S.A.” above the serial number with U.S.
and foreign patent date markings to the rear. The barrel locking bushing has the correct markings of “41” for the year
and “30-06” on the front flat. Blade front and 1,000 meter rear sight. It has a two-piece walnut stock and forend. This
example is wearing serial number “1729”, from the first production block of 9,999 rifles, on top of the receiver and the
bolt is numbered “1199” (it was standard for numbered components on Johnson rifles to not match). Includes a Johnson bayonet numbered
“1763” on the collar and “2687” on the spring retainer, with brown leather scabbard, and a “1944” dated MILSCO M1907 brown leather sling.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% plus original parkerized finish with scattered light freckling, and 97% refinished parkerized finish on the magazine housing. Wood is fine as sanded and re-oiled, with an outer varnish coat on the forearm, slightly undersized around some edges, and some scattered light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Bayonet and scabbard are very fine.
Estimate: 8,000 - 12,000
LOT 334
Exceptional World War II U.S.
Winchester M1 Garand Semi-Automatic Rifle - Serial no. 2435992, 30-06
Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl., parkerized/Du-Lite finish, walnut stock. This is an
exceptional World War II Winchester manufactured M1 Garand rifle manufactured in May of 1944. This rifle is all original and appears to
have not been issued. It has all of its original Winchester parts with the same correct matching factory parkerized and Du-Lite finishes. The right of the receiver
is marked “D28291-2”, and the barrel is correctly marked on the right side with the Winchester circled “WP” proof followed by a single punch dot proof mark. The rear breech
face of the barrel is parkerized, correctly, as Winchester parkerized their barrels while affixed to the receiver. The barrel is fitted with the original late Winchester pattern, wide-base
gas cylinder with the round top gas cylinder lock, both correctly with their Du-Lite black oxide finish (blue in color) with a cross slot gas plug. “D28287-1 W.R.A.” marked bolt, “D35382-W.R.A.” uncut
operating rod, “D28290-W.R.A.” trigger housing, “C46025W.R.A.” milled trigger guard, “C-46008-1W.R.A.” hammer, “WRA-1” safety, hammer spring guide with wings, correct rear sight with rounded end locking
bar on the windage knob, smooth spring clip on the rear handguard with the oval pattern Winchester middle barrel band with the original solid cross pin still in place. Boxed “WRA/GHD” and crossed cannons
cartouches stamped slightly off center on the left of the wrist with a circled “P” proof stamped behind the trigger guard area. The buttplate has the correct raised checkering pattern with the smooth outer edge, with the sharp edge on the trapdoor found on Winchester manufactured buttplates.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus original Winchester parkerized and Du-Lite finishes with some light handling marks. Stock is very fine with distinct edges, a few scattered light handling marks and dents, and defined stampings. Mechanically excellent. This exceptional Winchester M1 Garand rifle would make an excellent addition to any U.S. military arms collection!
320 Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
Tulagi