Model 1941 Johnson semi-automatic rifle manufactured c. 1941 by the Cranston Arms Co. The rifle has the distinctive detachable 22 inch barrel, receiver with ventilated barrel shroud and ten-round rotary magazine. The receiver has a tangent style rear sight graduated in meters. The two-piece walnut stock is oil finished and has a checkered buttplate. The barrel, receiver, magazine, trigger guard and buttplate have a gray-green parkerized finish. The bolt is bright. The serial number "A4897" is stamped on the right side of the receiver above the ejection port. The bolt is numbered "C4136" (numbered components on Johnson rifles did not match). The face of the barrel collar is stamped with the caliber ".30 06" above the barrel and "41" below it. The top of the receiver is roll-stamped: "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. The patent markings are stamped in five lines between the factory legend and the rear sight. "CRANSTON/ARMS /CO." is stamped in an inverted triangle on the right rear of the receiver. A small five-pointed star used by Dutch inspectors is stamped above the Cranston marking. In August 1940, the Netherlands Purchasing Commission ordered 10,200 Johnson Automatic rifles to arm colonial troops in the Dutch East Indies. The Dutch colonies in Asia were invaded by the Japanese in December 1941 and captured before most of the Johnson Model 1941 rifles could be delivered. The U.S. Marine Corps tested the Johnson rifle in 1941. Early in 1942, the Marines obtained a limited number of the Dutch Model 1941 riles which were subsequently issued to the 1st Parachute Battalion. The "Para-Marines" used small numbers of the Model 1941 rifles in combat in the Solomon Islands in 1942 and 1943. Most of the Dutch Model 1941 rifles remained un-issued and were sold as surplus in the 1950s and 1960s.
Excellent. The rifle retains 98% of the parkerized finish. The magazine has the original smooth, gray green finish and the rear sight has the blackened parkerized finish. All of the markings are extremely crisp. The two-piece, oil finished walnut stock and forearm are both in very fine condition with minimal handling wear. The rifle is fitted with a reproduction russet leather M1907 sling. This is an outstanding example of the very desirable Model 1941 Johnson semi-automatic rifle that would be difficult to improve upon.
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