February 17-19, 2020 Field & Range Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/19/2020
Very rare and desirable Johnson 1941 light machine gun with one magazine. No bipod present. This weapon is marked with patent dates and "JOHNSON AUTOMATICS" information on top of receiver above ejection port, and on right side of receiver "CRANSTON ARMS CO" within an inverted triangle. Bottom of magazine housing is marked "2-NE-41" indicating this was supplied in 1941 by New England Arms as a subcontractor. Front of barrel is marked "30-06" and "41". Bolt is #C6250 (bolt numbers were never intended to match receiver numbers). Barrel reciprocating spring has good tension. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is fine original finish turning an even brown patina with some high areas exhibiting a gray patina, with typical dings and scratches to the wood as one would expect from a combat used weapon. Very interesting are two neatly cut notches on the left side of the buttstock. Wish this gun could tell us why they were there, but one can guess based upon the overall condition of the weapon and the fact that these guns were used in the Pacific theater by the Marine Corps during World War II. Mechanics are fine. Slot in front of grip frame is vacant. Magazine has a ding on underside 1/3 of way down from top. Consignor states he purchased this from the original importer nearly 40 years ago and has never fired this gun. Bore is very good, turning dark in the grooves. Bolt face is fine. This is an interesting select fire machine gun which fires from the open bolt in full-auto and closed bolt in Semi-auto. A wonderful piece of World War II history for the machine gun enthusiast. THIS IS A NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT ITEM AND REQUIRES BATF APPROVAL PRIOR TO TRANSFER. THIS ITEM IS TRANSFERABLE ONLY TO ACTIVE FFL/SOT DEALERS ON AN ATF FORM 3 BUT MAY BE RETAINED BY SOLE PROPRIETOR FFL/SOT HOLDERS WHEN THEY RELINQUISH THEIR LICENSES UPON BATF APPROVAL. JWK 2019-10-66
Caliber/Bore
.30-06 Springfield
Manufacturer
Cranston Arms Co.