This is an outstanding example of an early (no letter prefix serial number) WWII Model 1941 Johnson Arms semi-automatic rifle, as designed by Melvin Johnson in 1939. This model eventually competed against the M1 Garand rifle when the military was looking for a new rifle and although the M1 Garand was adopted as the standard rifle, the U.S. Marine Corps Parachute and Raider Battalions acquired some early models as a war expedient and used them very effectively against the Japanese in the South Pacific in 1942/43. These Johnson rifles have several unique features/improvements over the M1 Garand, such as a ten round, rotary magazine that could easily be loaded at any time with either single or multiple rounds before or during a battle and an easily removable barrel that allowed for easy storage in a parachute jump bag. These rifles saw heavy use during WWII with most being in terrible condition with this example being in like new condition. The receiver is marked with the original five-line patent dates followed by the four-line "JOHNSON AUTOMATICS/MODEL OF 1941" logo, address and the serial number "3594". The barrel is marked "J.A./30-06" on the breech end with the front of the barrel support marked "30-06/41" with the locking lugs/barrel extension area stamped with "6552E". The rear of the receiver is stamped "CRANSTON/ARMS/CO." inside an inverted triangle. The rear sight is stamped "METERS" and "M2". This exceptional rifle retains a nice original dark green parkerized finish on the steel parts with the original lighter green parkerized finish on the stamped steel rotary magazine assembly. The rear sight assembly also has the original early green parkerized finish that matches the receiver before they contracted out the rear sight assembly. It is fitted with its original oil finished two-piece walnut buttstock and forend with the original checkered steel buttplate. The rifle bolt is marked "A1269" and is correctly in the original "in the white" condition. This beautiful rifle comes complete with an original Boyt/44 marked leather sling and a Johnson bayonet and scabbard that are in like new condition

Excellent plus with 99% of the original green parkerized finish overall with minor edge wear. The stock and forend are both in excellent condition with a nice darker reddish/brown color with minimal handling marks overall. The pistol grip and left rear section of the stock shows some unusual dips in the wood, however we feel it indicative of the fast wartime machining performed on some of these stocks. The bayonet and leather scabbard are both in excellent condition with the leather scabbard showing some minor nicks and scratches. The leather is intact with tight stitching while the bayonet is still encased in an original plastic dipped protective coating, so describer assumes it like new. Just a fabulous looking rifle with a matching excellent condition bayonet and scabbard.