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LOT 3416
First Production Block World War II U.S. Johnson Automatics Model 1941 Semi-Automatic Rifle - Serial no. 6561, 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
Estimate: 8,500 - 12,000
Important Historic Note
Lt. Col. Frank J. Atwood was the U.S. Army Executive Officer assigned to the Rochester Ordnance District, and was responsible for inspecting, accepting or rejecting materials produced by both Remington-Rand and Ithaca. His initials "FJA" can be found on many 1911 pistol and 1903 rifles inspected between 1942 and 1946.
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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 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 no letter prefix serial number “6561”, from the first production block, on top of the receiver and the original serial number of the bolt has been removed and renumbered “6561” to match (it was standard for numbered components on Johnson rifles to not match). One absent screw in the front of the trigger guard. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 70% original parkerized finish with a few small patches of light pitting and some areas turned to a smooth brown patina. Wood is very good as sanded and re-oiled, slightly undersized around some edges, a repaired and spliced section on the bottom of the buttstock, and some scattered handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
LOT 3417
Historic Documented World War I U.S. Remington Model 1917 Bolt Action Rifle, Presented to Lieutenant Colonel Frank J. Atwood as a Retirement Gift in 1945, with Bayonet - Serial no. 1361850, 30-06 Springfield cal., 26 inch round bbl., black oxide finish, walnut stock. This Eddystone Model 1917 rifle features a
presentation inscription on the floor plate that reads “1361850” and “CHRISTMAS 1945/TO LT. COL. FRANK J. ATWOOD/FROM YOUR FRIENDS AND ADMIRERS/AT SPRINGFIELD ARMORY. GOD SPEED.” in four lines. Fitted in a smooth walnut pistol grip stock with “E” marked at the nose, finger grooves, and a smooth trapdoor buttplate. “E/(flaming bomb)/12-18” marked barrel with blade front and adjustable ladder and peep rear sights, standard receiver ring markings, double eagle head proofs on top of the left receiver rail, and a single flaming bomb proof on the left. Flaming bomb, “W” and “N.S.” markings on the nickel steel bolt. Includes a Remington M1917 bayonet dated “1917” and an olive drab green leather scabbard with metal ends. A World War I veteran, Lieutenant Colonel Frank J. Atwood was the U.S. Army Executive Officer assigned to the Rochester Ordnance District between mid 1942 through early 1946, and had sole responsibility for inspecting and accepting or rejecting all war material that was produced or manufactured under Government contract in this district. During this time frame in the Rochester district, both the Remington-Rand and Ithaca factories fell under his control. Consequently, if you look at any M1911A1 pistols manufactured by either of those companies or the majority of Remington Model 03-A3 rifles manufactured during World War II, his initials “F.J.A.” are typically stamped on them. This was an extremely important and demanding position, and Frank J. Atwood’s work was of the highest standard, comparable to the likes of Springfield Armory’s previous Master Armorer Erskine S. Allin; so much that Springfield Armory employees took the time to pull this World War I production rifle out of backroom storage to inscribe and finish for presentation to him in December 1945 as a Christmas present, retirement gift and strong token of appreciation for his efforts. This rifle includes an original handwritten work order document dated November 1945 that mentions this rifle by serial number and the work performed on it for presentation. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 98% arsenal refurbished parkerized finish, with very light cycling wear on the bolt, and a crisp presentation inscription. Stock is also very fine as arsenal refinished for presentation, with a few light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet and scabbard are fine. This Eddystone Model 1917 rifle is a truly historic item presented to an important figure, Lt. Col. Frank J. Atwood, and the guy whose name is on plenty of World War II Remington-Rand and Ithaca M1911A1 pistols as well as Remington Model 03-A3 rifles. This rifle is worthy of a prominent place in any U.S. military firearms collection! Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500