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LOT 326
Exceptional U.S. Inland
M1A1 Paratrooper Semi-Automatic Carbine - Serial
no. 337456, 30 Carbine cal., 18 inch round bbl., parkerized/
blue finish, walnut stock. This exceptional example of an Inland M1A1 Carbine
was manufactured by Inland as part of the first production block between May 1942 to
December 1943, with serial numbers between 101-999999, per the chart on page 235 of
the book “Comprehensive Guide to the M1 Carbine” by Roger C. Larson. It has a “5-43” dated
Inland barrel, fitted with an unmarked low wood M1A1 Paratrooper carbine stock with folding metal wire buttstock, a
“slim jim” grip with “SA” on bottom, “IO” two-rivet handguard, “S” front sight, “S” L-flip rear sight, unmarked type I barrel
band, “AI” flat bolt, “PI” operating rod, “INLAND” in a banner on the right of the milled trigger housing, “HI” hammer, “RI”
sear, unmarked push button safety, “W-I” marked magazine catch, “I.I.” marked Inland magazine, the inside of the butt
plate has the proper casting number and symbols, and the leather cheek pad cover is secured with three brass rivets.
Includes an “II” marked oiler, and tan canvas web sling.
CONDITION: Excellent plus, retains 99% of the original parkerized finish and 98% original blue finish on the bolt. Stock
is also excellent plus with a small dent on the left side of the forearm from the butt plate, and distinct edges overall.
Mechanically excellent. This exceptional U.S. Inland M1A1 Paratrooper Carbine would make a fine addition to any U.S.
military collection.
Estimate: 5,500 - 7,500
LOT 325
World War II Dutch Contract U.S. Johnson
Automatics Mfg. Co.
Model 1941
Semi-Automatic
Rifle with Bayonet - Serial no. B7884,
30-06 Springfield cal., 22 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut stock. Manufactured c. 1940-1945, as one of a
reported total of roughly 21,400 Model 1941 semi-automatic rifles manufactured for Johnson Automatics Manufacturing Company. Developed by Melvin M. Johnson
Jr. (1909-1965) in the late 1930s, the design of the Model 1941 rifle features a novel short-recoil operated action, utilizing a rearward moving barrel assembly and eight-lug rotating bolt design,
which Johnson believed to be more reliable than the at-the-time recently adopted M1 rifle designed by John C. Garand. It also features an internal 10-round
rotary magazine, which could be fed and topped off using standard issue Model 1903 rifle pattern stripper clips. Despite using his own personal
connections to force about an impromptu test of his design versus the M1, the U.S. Army did not favor Mr. Johnson’s rifle, with the concerns of
reliability issues when used with a bayonet and other observations leading the M1941 to be viewed as a less suitable combat rifle design than that
which had been developed by Mr. Garand, and more importantly already adopted and tooled for mass production. Despite this, the M1941 did
find some success with a large order placed in 1940 by the Netherlands Purchasing Commission, as service rifles for colonial troops stationed in
the Dutch East Indies, but the invasion of the region by Imperial Japanese forces in early 1942 prevented delivery. Approximately 750 rifles were
also procured by the U.S. Marine Corps, with some seeing extensive combat use in the hands of U.S.M.C. Raider and Parachute Battalions during
the Makin Island Raid, Invasion of Tulagi, Battles of Gavutu and Tanambogo, along with the early Guadalcanal Campaign of 1942. Features winged
blade front and range adjustable rear (marked “M2” and graduated from 100 to 900 meters, with non-factory added “520” marked M1 Garand
pattern national match peep hood attached) sights, five point Dutch “star” acceptance mark and triangle enclosed “CRANSTON/ARMS/CO.” stamp
on the right rear of the receiver, four-line “CAL. 30-’06 SEMI-AUTO./”JOHNSON AUTOMATICS”/MODEL OF 1941/MADE IN PROVIDENCE, R.I., U.S.A.”
marked above the serial number on top of the receiver, and five-line U.S. and foreign patent dates roll marked to the rear. The bolt is marked with a non-matching
“B7659” serial number (it was standard for numbered components on Johnson rifles to not match). Fitted with a smooth oiled walnut forend and buttstock with checkered steel buttplate. Includes a M1941 Johnson spike bayonet
(numbered “6732” on the body) with brown leather scabbard, a brass hooked M1907 leather sling, a modern re-printed copy of “Military Handbook of the Johnson Semi-Automatic Rifle” from Loose Cannon Enterprises, and a hard
copy of “Johnson Rifles and Machine Guns” by Bruce N. Canfield (signed on the inside cover by the author), and a soft cover.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 95% plus original parkerized finish with some light high point and edge wear, some minor specs of spotting/brown patina visible on the magazine body, some discoloration and freckling on
the modified rear sight leaf spring, and some scattered light handling marks. The re-oiled stock is very fine with some minor handling marks and attractive raised grain. Mechanically excellent. The bayonet and scabbard are
exceptionally fine. Overall a very attractive example of a Johnson Automatics M1941 rifle!
Estimate: 9,500 - 14,000
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