M1941 Johnson Rifle SN 0006

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B@K3R

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I picked up this 1941 Johnson Rifle and I am looking for some info on it. It was made the first day of production and is the 6th rifle off the line. I have no extra info on it other then that.

Whats it worth?

Should I restore it or leave it?

Shoot it?

How rare is it?

Thanks in advance







 
Hmm - I don't know about refinishing - gentle cleaning sure. That gun's got history and a pedigree too - unless the refinish job was perfect I'd say just replace missing bits and get it working.

The gun's are pretty rare. I don't know anything about their markings but a gun proven to be the sixth ever made for production would have some value.
 
the pitting looks deep ,I don't think the collectors value is there . shooter for sure.
does the bore look like a sewer pipe? if so, have it rebarreled ,lightly sand blasted and blued.
 
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The S-6 serial number? Was it possibly renumbered postwar or at an arsenal?


The serial number should have 4 digits. And there are no letter prefixes, A, B, and D prefixes. (Possibly should be 0006, A0006, B0006, D0006)

(The "S and -" and the lack of 3 other digits in the S-6? The S should be an A, B, D or no letter, the dash "-" shouldn't be there)

The rifles were not assembled in sequential order, so a rifle with a low serial number could well have been produced later than rifles with higher serial numbers.

There are no matching numbers on a Johnson rifle as you will find when you disassemble it. (Not at all like a K98 Mauser).

Is your barrel .30-06 or 7mm?

B@K3R said:
I picked up this 1941 Johnson Rifle and I am looking for some info on it. It was made the first day of production and is the 6th rifle off the line. I have no extra info on it other then that.

Whats it worth?

Should I restore it or leave it?

Shoot it?

How rare is it?

Thanks in advance







Click to expand...
 
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Looks very much like a Dutch East Indies Johnson I used to own, severely abused. ;) Bunch of them imported in the early 70's I think. Barrel was so worn, it wouldn't function the action.

Grizz
 
While the serial number and production date are being disputed, you have a rare and valuable firearm. I looked over a refinished M1941 last year and the seller (on CGN) wanted a realistic but high price. Lower four-digits as I recall. I passed. The rust pits should be attacked with an oxidizing neutralizer, not some physical remover. The wood can be cleaned and reoiled. But unlike the gun I saw, refinish with bluing and not too uniform either. Just enough to keep the atmospheric moisture from eating it anymore.
 
Coyote Ugly said:
The S Prefix is mentioned here.

http://milpas.cc/rifles/ZFiles/Semi-automatic Rifles/US/Johnson Carbine/Johnson Carbine.htm
Click to expand...

So after reading that link, one has to ask if this is a semi auto or a converted auto. And if it is one of the auto carbines, they will have to re-write that article to make the samples include a 6th.

It will be interesting to see what the future of this rifle is going to be. As historic and significant as it may be, should it have been made as a selective fire, Canada's gun laws as well as the import/export laws almost certainly will take it out of private ownership, and be nowhere near as valuable to the current owner as it should be.

After re-reading the article there was no mention of the sample guns being made in selective fire, so most likely the rifle is simply a semi auto. That would leave it as a legal and very rare prototype. The owner should be warned that the internal rotary magazine of the Johnson must be limited to 5 rounds if it is not already done.
 
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Somehow I think this is going to be a new member 'hit and run' post.

I hope I'm wrong and we get some more photos/updates on the rifle.

It's interesting that the asking price is so high on these Canada, they're of a limited collectors interest here.

Still on my list of rifles to buy. Would be great for a USMC or FSSF display.

-Steve
 
Compare the pics. The rear of his receiver is like a M1941 Johnson Rifle and not milled off like the Johnson A-C. (Look at the triangular shape where the Cranston Arms Stamp and Dutch Acceptance Star are (*). Perhaps a Sample (S-6) for the Johnson Rifle?
 
To the OP, should this rifle prove to be a "sample" model and deemed prohibited as an un-registered CA or FA, please contact us before having her surrendered, to discuss your possible options.
 
Ok sorry for the long wait. I snapped some more photos of it (I have a out if its not making it a dewat) the roter magazine is limited to the 5 rounds. (4 actually) The inside of the magazine has been filled so it will wont take 10.







I am holding it out to show the bullet



Looks well worn





It is .30-06






Let me know if you want to see something specific
 
Regarding the calibre, it's marked .30-06 on the receiver and all of them were like that, however, also check the barrel too. When you remove the barrel, that will also be marked .30-06 or 7mm.

You will probably also see a JA for Johnson Automatics on the barrel after you take it out. (Just like on the receiver but not abbreviated)

The 7mm version of the Johnson Rifle was for a South American contract. The .30-06 was the Dutch Contract.

And for safety too, just so you know what the barrel and ammunition should be.
 
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