Super rare example of a very early M1941 Johnson semi-automatic rifles manufactured by the Cranston Arms Co. that has the highly desirable low serial number 0039. The rifle has the distinctive detachable 22 inch barrel, 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 an early dark grayish/green parkerized finish. The bright polished bolt is numbered "B4010". 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." over serial number "0039", how great is that! 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 Japanese invaded and captured the Dutch colonies in December 1941 before most of the Johnson Model 1941 rifles could be delivered. The U.S. Marine Corps tested the Johnson rifle in 1941 and, in early 1942, obtained a limited number of the Dutch contract Model 1941 rifles as a war expedient rifle until they could receive the Springfield M1 Garand rifle, with a few of these rifles issued to the 1st Parachute Battalion. This desirable rifle is complete with an original M1923 light green web sling with an original Johnson Arms bayonet (numbered 1537) with its original leather scabbard.