M-1941 Johnson Semi Auto Rifle

[johnsonlmg41]

to return it to original it requires parts that are tough to find.  

Send me a message and I might have some suggestions?

 

Overall, nice gun.

[Jonwarr]

Thanks for the reply.  On further inspection it appears that the lower stock is original, missing rear sling, front sites and muzzle guard.  Any assistance would be appreciated.  I sent a direct message.  Regards 

[pharbor1941]

Parts are out there but very pricey, it’s definitely worth restoring.

[The Rooster]

On 3/3/2024 at 5:34 PM, The Rooster said:

Thank you Tom !

There is a tiny stamping near the rear swivel. I cant make it out.

First off I want to state that I am making  no definite claims on this rifle being used in the Pacific War.

I have no provenance so its all speculation on my part. The speculation is caused by several things circumstantial  including this stamping near the rear sling swivel in the above images...... Expand......

 

Also the rifle came with a bayonet with the name of a Marine Raider Pharmacists Mate, carved into the back of the sheath, who was on Bougainville Island for about 3 weeks towards the end of the Marines involvement there. The rifle itself is unmodified except for a wood screw on the swivel. It has no bolt hold open, and they were not produced with bolt hold open locks. Those were added by people post war according to what Ive read.

Getting back to the intials....

By going through the Marine Raider Roster, I scanned through all the last names starting with the letter M and looked for first names starting with the letter G,

and I found three Marine Raiders with the initials GBM.

George. B. Makin. 1D KIA 1943

George. B. McAvoy. 1HQEDA Died 1965

Grady. B. Mize. 1E I cant find anything on this Man.

I cannot prove it but it seems like this is a Pacific War used Rifle ?

I dont think I will ever solve the mystery. Mr Oakley and his wife didnt have any children.

 

Here is a link to the bayonet.

There are 3 Marine Raiders with the initials GBM... A raiders name carved into the bayo sheath.

Lots of coincidences..... ?

 

 

[The Rooster]

Here it is in its home. Lighting is not good but here it is.

Please see post #29 directly above this one.

Thank you.

Cheers !

[Wade20th]

First time seeing this topic for me.

 

That's a really nice gun! I've never seen one of those in person before. Nice find. 

 

Wade

[aznation]

4 hours ago, The Rooster said:

Here it is in its home. Lighting is not good but here it is.

Please see post #29 directly above this one.

Thank you.

Cheers !

That rifle box is AWESOME looking!  I don't remember seeing that before but perhaps you showed it to me and I just don't remember.  Did you make that or have it done?

[The Rooster]

11 minutes ago, aznation said:

That rifle box is AWESOME looking!  I don't remember seeing that before but perhaps you showed it to me and I just don't remember.  Did you make that or have it done?

I had it made by someone on etsy.

Its short for the Johnson but since the barrel comes off so easily,

it works! Its big bulky and kind of heavy but I think its a fitting home

for the Johnson. 😀

[aznation]

1 hour ago, The Rooster said:

I had it made by someone on etsy.

Its short for the Johnson but since the barrel comes off so easily,

it works! Its big bulky and kind of heavy but I think its a fitting home

for the Johnson. 😀

Nice!  I totally agree with you.  Makes a fine and fitting home for that rifle.

[The Rooster]

The initials GBM on the stock

By going through the Marine Raider Roster, I scanned through all the last names starting with the letter M and looked for first names starting with the letter G,

and I found three Marine Raiders with the initials GBM.

George. B. Makin. 1D KIA 1943

George. B. McAvoy. 1HQEDA Died 1965

Grady. B. Mize. 1E .

 And Amos Oaklys name on the back of the sheath...

I cannot prove it but it seems like this is a Pacific War used Rifle ?

What do you think?

 

 

[johnsonlmg41]

I think if they were scratched in maybe?  Where would a Marine raider get a stamp set.....and why would he put his initials on the stock?  The pictures of the guns I've seen that were supposedly used by the raiders, while very cool, all have been in relatively low condition.   Guns that were there, I don't think many made it back?  

 

I've seen a number of scabbards with markings carved on them, that is relatively common.  As to where it happened, I have no idea.

None of my guns had bolt hold opens when I got them, they all have them now.  I'm 99% sure none of my guns ever saw actual service.   

 

I have a lot of military guns, primarily machine guns which generally saw more combat usage than other firearms, and the vast majority never saw active combat, but were surplus after wars from various countries/manufacturers.   The few guns I have that were legit war relics are just that, relatively in low condition.  When wars ended it wasn't pretty and guys didn't shine up their guns for storage, many literally dropped them in place when they got notice or surrendered them in piles exposed to weather, etc.     The stories seem romantic today, but reading accounts paint a pretty ugly picture and preserving a firearm, if you even wanted to touch one again, would likely be at the bottom of the list.   Just like women, the fantasy is always better than reality.

[The Rooster]

5 hours ago, johnsonlmg41 said:

I think if they were scratched in maybe?  Where would a Marine raider get a stamp set.....and why would he put his initials on the stock?  The pictures of the guns I've seen that were supposedly used by the raiders, while very cool, all have been in relatively low condition.   Guns that were there, I don't think many made it back?  

 

I've seen a number of scabbards with markings carved on them, that is relatively common.  As to where it happened, I have no idea.

None of my guns had bolt hold opens when I got them, they all have them now.  I'm 99% sure none of my guns ever saw actual service.   

 

I have a lot of military guns, primarily machine guns which generally saw more combat usage than other firearms, and the vast majority never saw active combat, but were surplus after wars from various countries/manufacturers.   The few guns I have that were legit war relics are just that, relatively in low condition.  When wars ended it wasn't pretty and guys didn't shine up their guns for storage, many literally dropped them in place when they got notice or surrendered them in piles exposed to weather, etc.     The stories seem romantic today, but reading accounts paint a pretty ugly picture and preserving a firearm, if you even wanted to touch one again, would likely be at the bottom of the list.   Just like women, the fantasy is always better than reality.

The only thing I would disagree with you is the stamp kits.

They were issued and available during WW2.

 

Ive read that the order to get rid of the Johnsons came on Bouganville and some were thrown in the ocean, some were buried on the beaches. And some were taken home in seabags.  Mr Oakley was there for about 3 weeks.

Cant prove this is one that made it home. It just has these things......... The bayo, the initials, the condition of it...

Its puzzling, I cant prove it. Its circumstantial. But its kind of interesting...

Thank you for your thoughts.