Originally up for consideration by the Netherlands Purchasing Commission as a service weapon for colonial troops in the Dutch East Indies, a large order for the Johnson Rifle was placed in 1940, but the Japanese invasion of the East Indies prevented delivery. These rifles were not able to gain interest for adoption by the U.S. Army, who favored the M1 Garand, but a small amount of them were subsequently used by the U.S.M.C. Marine Raider and Parachute Battalions in the early Makin Island, Guadalcanal and Tulagi Island hopping campaigns in the Pacific. One source reports approximately 21,400 Johnson semi-automatic rifles in total were manufactured, and approximately 750 were procured by the U.S. Marine Corps (Canfield's book). These rifles employed several unique features such as the rotary magazine which allowed reloading at any time, a recoiling barrel which started the cycling of the rifle and the takedown barrel which allowed them to be stowed in a parachute jump bag. The rear, right side of the receiver is marked "CRANSTON/ARMS/CO." in a triangle below a small five-pointed Dutch star as commonly seen on Johnson rifles, and the top of the receiver is marked "CAL. 30-'06 SEMI-AUTO./"JOHNSON AUTOMATICS"/MODEL OF 1941/MADE IN PROVIDENCE, R.I., U.S.A." above the serial number with U.S. and foreign patent date markings to the rear. The front flat of the barrel locking bushing has the correct markings (41 for the year and 30-06). It has the correct wartime green parkerized finish with a parkerized rear sight which is marked on the side with 100-900 meter markings and marked "M2" on the left side. It has a two-piece walnut stock and forend. Includes "MRT/3-96" leather sling, bayonet, and leather scabbard.

Exceptionally fine, retaining 90% original parkerized finish with some areas faded to a smooth brown patina, some scrape marks around the front sight, and traces of the original black painted outer protective coating. Wood is also fine with some light scratches and dings, a re-glued crack on the left running from below the receiver into the wrist, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is fine with some scattered moderate pitting, leather scabbard is also fine with some light age related wear.