May 09 Blue Press Section 2 3/13/09 2:15 PM Page 41

41 he Moodel of 1941 Johnson Semiautomatic

“The U.S. Army Ordnance Department told

The U.S. Army’s Ordnance Department, in After the war, Johnson Automatics sold surplus that tn happarente A retributionrmy for w the oGarand/Johnsonuld n con-everiflesr a to dmembersop oft the h Nationalis rRifleif Associa-le.” troversy, however, told Johnson that the Army tion. A large number were also “sporterized” would never adopt his . Not to be deterred, with recoil-pad-fitted stocks by Winfield Arms in Johnson set up tests by the Marine Corps. These Los Angeles. The Winfield guns sold for prices were undertaken, and the rifle was adopted for ranging from $109.50 for the unaltered military special issue to USMC . The rifle’s model to $159.50 for the “sporter” version. The takedown feature was seen as a plus for these rifle illustrated for this article was one of those troops. Some Johnsons were also issued to Marine sold by Winfield. It was manufactured in 1943, - Raider units. Most of the 750 Marine-issued arms the last year of manufacture. In total, 21,400 were modified by removing the protective “ears” were produced. from the front sight to give a sight picture more Johnson Automatics declared bankruptcy and familiar to users of the M1903 rifle. A few have folded in 1949. Johnson took employment with - been reportedly noted with a small “US” marking, Winchester Repeating Arms and was appointed but this is unconfirmed. technical director of the Arms Development - The rifle produced for the Dutch contract was Department in New Haven, Connecticut. In y designated as the “Model of 1941.” These were 1954, he resigned from Winchester to become a marked “CRANSTON ARMS CO” in a triangle on consultant. He did work for Armalite, and his the receiver. An aperture peep sight was provided, rotary multi-lug bolt idea found widespread use graduated in meters for the Dutch. The rotary 10- in the AR-10 and the AR-15 rifle, forerunner of round could be charged with single the M16 rifles in use today by our military. The rounds or 1903 clips, even if the magazine was not “Spitfire” conversion of the M1 to a .22- empty and the bolt was in battery. A rotating safety caliber bottlenecked was another of his was placed in front of the trigger guard. The rifle ideas. On January 8, 1965, Johnson was in New was provided with a lightweight spike bayonet that York City to find investors for this project. He d would not alter the recoil characteristics of the bar- never kept his appointments. A heart attack felled rel. A bolt catch that held the bolt to the rear after him at the age of 55. Opinionated and doggedly the last round was fired was provided at the insis- determined, he was a controversial but respected - tence of the Dutch. Most of the Dutch rifles were and valued contributor to the world and o not delivered due to the fall of the East the WWII war effort. Indies. However, a number did see combat with Today, original Johnson Model of 1941 rifles the Dutch in that arena. are scarce and command high prices on the col- The Johnson’s WWII service with the U.S. was lector market. I’ve seen them offered for sale at limited to Marine units. The Marines were general- between $4,000 and $8,000, depending on origi- d ly satisfied with their rifles. However, they did find nality and condition. It’s difficult to identify that the sheet-metal covered rotary magazine was Marine-issued arms, as the markings for most were f susceptible to denting, thereby causing disruption the same as those found on the Dutch rifles. e to proper feeding, and that extractors occasionally Marine serial number records on the rifles issued broke. They didn’t like the skinny bayonets, and have not survived. Serial numbers were not often referred to them as “tent pegs.” sequential, and parts with different serial numbers It should be noted that the government of were used during manufacture. Finding a Model of ordered 1,000 Johnson rifles in 7mm caliber. A 1941 can be a real task today, but well worth the g number of these were imported back to the U.S. in effort for the dedicated collector. The Johnson is an the ‘70s and ‘80s. innovative and classic military rifle. DP