*RARE PROTOTYPE JOHNSON SEMI-AUTO MILITARY RIFLE.

*RARE PROTOTYPE JOHNSON SEMI-AUTO MILITARY RIFLE. Cal. 30-06. SN MR3. Early prototype for the famous Johnson rifle, one of the first three built for Johnson by a company named “Taft-Peirce” of Woonsocket, RI in 1938. These three rifles were numbered MR1 thru MR3 and were made with single column magazines of either five or eight shots. One of the rifles was made to minimum tolerances, another to maximum tolerances and a third to middle of the road tolerances. We do not know which one we have. All three were chambered for 30-06 and marked on top of the receiver “PROOF MODEL” which is exactly how our rifle is marked. This information was obtained from the book Johnson Rifles and Machine Guns by Bruce N. Canfield. This specific rifle is pictured on page 40 of the same book in its original commercial configuration. This rifle is described as having a 20” rnd bbl in a 1-pc walnut stock with pierced metal hand guard, integral with the receiver. It has a winged military-style front sight and the long Johnson 1,000 meter stamped metal rear sight. The wood is very distinctive in its grain patterns and readily identifiable in the picture. It now has a light parkerized finish on the bbl & receiver with blue trigger guard. It is apparent that it was experimented with, as there are several arsenal type repairs and fills to the forestock. The top of the receiver is marked “JOHNSON AUTOMATICS / SEMI-AUTO. 30-06 / PROOF MODEL” and the right rear of the receiver is stamped “MR-3” with a strange proof mark above it. It is accompanied by six original 5-rnd magazines and seven books relating to military rifles & machine guns, one by Canfield (above) and six by Johnson himself or Johnson & Haven. The titles are Automatic Weapons of the World, Rifles and Machine Guns, Ammunition, Automatic Arms, For Permanent Victory and Practical Marksman ship. CONDITION: Fine to very fine. Retains an even light gray/green parkerized finish over the bbl & receiver. Stock has a hairline in front of the magazine well, otherwise retains a dark oil finish with light soil and a few light nicks & dings. Magazines all show light to moderate wear with some fine surface rust. Bright shiny bore. There is a hairline crack at the right rear of the receiver in line with the rear receiver pin. Books are fine. 4-51040 JR883 (12,500-17,500)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2004

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1046	$16,100.00	RARE PROTOTYPE JOHNSON SEMI-AUTO MILITARY RIFLE. Cal. 30-06. SN MR3. Early prototype for the famous Johnson rifle, one of the first three built for Johnson by a company named “Taft-Peirce” of Woonsocket, RI in 1938. These three rifles were numbered MR1 thru MR3 and were made with single column magazines of either five or eight shots. One of the rifles was made to minimum tolerances, another to maximum tolerances and a third to middle of the road tolerances. We do not know which one we have. All three were chambered for 30-06 and marked on top of the receiver “PROOF MODEL” which is exactly how our rifle is marked. This information was obtained from the book Johnson Rifles and Machine Guns by Bruce N. Canfield. This specific rifle is pictured on page 40 of the same book in its original commercial configuration. This rifle is described as having a 20” rnd bbl in a 1-pc walnut stock with pierced metal hand guard, integral with the receiver. It has a winged military-style front sight and the long Johnson 1,000 meter stamped metal rear sight. The wood is very distinctive in its grain patterns and readily identifiable in the picture. It now has a light parkerized finish on the bbl & receiver with blue trigger guard. It is apparent that it was experimented with, as there are several arsenal type repairs and fills to the forestock. The top of the receiver is marked “JOHNSON AUTOMATICS / SEMI-AUTO. 30-06 / PROOF MODEL” and the right rear of the receiver is stamped “MR-3” with a strange proof mark above it. It is accompanied by six original 5-rnd magazines and seven books relating to military rifles & machine guns, one by Canfield (above) and six by Johnson himself or Johnson & Haven. The titles are Automatic Weapons of the World, Rifles and Machine Guns, Ammunition, Automatic Arms, For Permanent Victory and Practical Marksman ship. CONDITION: Fine to very fine. Retains an even light gray/green parkerized finish over the bbl & receiver. Stock has a hairline in front of the magazine well, otherwise retains a dark oil finish with light soil and a few light nicks & dings. Magazines all show light to moderate wear with some fine surface rust. Bright shiny bore. There is a hairline crack at the right rear of the receiver in line with the rear receiver pin. Books are fine. 4-51040 JR883 (12,500-17,500) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2004 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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