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LOT 3384
Exceptional and Very Scarce Chilean Contract
Johnson Automatics Model 1941 Semi-Automatic Rifle in 7mm Mauser - Serial no. 4154, 7
mm Mauser 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 Tulagi island hopping campaigns in the Pacific. Per Canfield,
approximately 21,400 Johnson semi-automatic rifles in total were manufactured, and approximately 750 were procured by the U.S. Marine Corps. This example offered is one a reported 1,000 of the Chilean contract
variation rifles chambered in 7mm Mauser, as opposed to the standard chambering of .30-06 Springfield. Information on the Chilean 7mm M1941 Johnson rifles can be found on pages 162-163 of Canfield’s book “Johnson’s Rifles
and Machine Guns” in which it states, “Soon after the initial NPC [Netherlands Purchasing Commission] order was received, the government of Chile ordered 1,000 M1941 Johnson rifles chambered for the 7mm cartridge for use by
mounted troops, probably an elite ‘state police’ unit. Since JAMCO [Johnson Automatics] could not economically produce such a small quantity of barrels in this caliber, the firm purchased
a sufficient number of 7mm Mauser rifle barrels from the National Arsenal in Mexico. The barrels were then assembled to .30 caliber parts on
hand and into standard M1941 Johnson rifles. While actually 7mm, the barrel locking bushing still retained the ‘.30-06’ marking [as seen on
this example].” 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 three lines inside a triangle below 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.” in four lines above the serial number with U.S. and foreign patent date markings to the rear. This
example is wearing serial number “4154” on top of the receiver, and the bolt is numbered “6526” (it was standard for numbered components
on Johnson rifles to not match). Blade front and adjustable 1,000 meter rear sights. It has a two-piece walnut stock and forend. The barrel
bushing has the correct markings of “.30-’06” and “41” for the year on the front flat, and the chamber area of the barrel has a “CAL.7m/m”
marking, with an import marking on the bottom of the barrel. Includes a brown leather sling.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 95% plus original parkerized finish with some occasional light handling marks and scratches, and some
minor surface freckling on the magazine body. Wood is very fine with some slight fading in the forearm, numerous scattered dents and
scratches, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 3383
Exceptional and Highly
Desirable World War II U.S. Stevens
Model 520-30 Slide Action Trench Shotgun with Bayonet - Serial no. 57743, 12 gauge,
20 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This is an excellent example of a very desirable
World War II U.S. Army contract Stevens Model 520-30 trench shotgun with the correct bayonet lug
adapter and ventilated handguard. The right side of the barrel has the three-line Stevens/Savage
address, and the left side has the two-line gauge markings “PROOF TESTED-12 GAUGE/-2 3/4
INCH CHAMBER-”. Choke gauges at cylinder. The left side of the receiver is marked “MOD. 520-30”
and “U.S.”, and it has the correct “P” above Ordnance bomb proof stamps on the barrel and left front edge of
the receiver. It has an all blue finish with smooth forearm and pistol grip stock with a black plastic buttplate. The stock
and bayonet lug are correctly fitted with sling swivels. Length of pull is 14 inches. Includes a “10 17” dated U.S. 1913
Remington bayonet, green synthetic scabbard, and M1907 leather sling.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% plus original blue finish overall showing only minor cycling wear, with sharp edges
and markings in the metal. Wood is also excellent with defined edges, some light handling marks, and rich oil finish.
Mechanically excellent. Bayonet and scabbard are both very fine. This is among the finest examples of a U.S. Stevens
Model 520-30 trench shotgun we have ever offered at Rock Island Auction!
Provenance: The Steven Preston Collection; Private Collection.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000