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LOT 1485
Exceptional World War II U.S. Johnson Automatics Model 1941 Semi-
Automatic Rifle with Bayonet - Serial no. B8858, 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 Tulagi 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 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.” above the serial number with U.S. and foreign patent date markings to the rear. The barrel locking bushing has the correct markings of “30-06” and “41” for the year on the front flat. Blade front and 1,000 meter rear sight. The serial number “B8858” is on top of the receiver and the bolt is numbered “C1703” (it was standard for numbered components on Johnson rifles to not match). It has a two-piece walnut stock and forend. Includes bayonet with brown leather scabbard, and olive drab green canvas sling.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% original parkerized finish with only a few light handling marks. Wood is very fine with attractive grains and rich oil finish, a discreetly repaired/filled in long hairline crack visible on the left of the wrist, some hairline cracks on the underside around the trigger guard, and defined edges overall. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet and scabbard are both very fine.
Provenance: The Paul Crockett Jr. Collection.
Estimate: 9,500 - 14,000
LOT 1486
Excellent World War II U.S. Inland
M1A1 Paratrooper Semi-Automatic Carbine with Sling - Serial no.
363419, 30 cal., 18 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut/steel stock. Named
for their association with America’s airborne units, the U.S. M1A1 Paratrooper Carbine was
solely made by the Inland Manufacturing Division of General Motors in two identified serial number
blocks, with this one in the first block (October 1942-December 1943). “N” marked blade front and “S” marked
two-leaf rear sights, with an Inland barrel dated “4-43”, a Type I barrel band, flat bolt, milled Inland trigger guard, smooth
button safety and a “W-I” magazine catch. The stock is the early high wood pattern with the circled “P” stamp on the rear and
an Ordnance “crossed cannons” stamp on the underside, brown leather cheekpad with brass rivets and an oiler, and the spring-
loaded buttplate with proper casting numbers on the interior. One “K-S’G’” marked magazine is included with the carbine along with a tan
canvas sling.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 97% plus of the original finish. Showing some light wear and handling marks overall. The stock shows a few mild dents and
scuffs on the very fine original wood, some scratches and verdigris buildup on the leather, with the metal equal to the rest of the carbine. Mechanically excellent.
344 Estimate: 5,500 - 7,500