Need help and advice on a 1941 Johnson

[Bruv]

I had a guy call me on my ad tonight and wanted to sell me a K43 and a 1941 Johnson. I know about the K43 , but really don't know much if any about the Johnson. He said his grandpa used to take it hunting, so I expected to see a sporterized mess. He sent me some pictures on my cell, so from what you can tell, does it look ok? It does to me. I also wondered if you think the scope is one that would have gone on those, or added? I am going to look at the two rifles tomorrow afternoon, so any help with what to look for would be much appreciated. What is a average cost of these Johnsons? I looked a bit on the internet, and saw $5000, yikes. What is a realistic price. Thanks in advance.
Dave

[Bruv]

2 more. I apologize for the quality of the pictures, but that is what he sent.
Dave

[Remark116]

I have only handled a few of them. I know there is a civilian and a military model. I guess serial number ranges would answer that question and impact the value a bit. I think the military one has a bayonet lug, while the civilian one does not.

On past gun broker auctions it looks like $3,000 to $5,000 is the range. The $3,000 being a bit more common, though I did not check the sale dates.

I know there are some people out there with a lot more experience with them. I had heard the rumor that the metal mag well would dent and cause loading issues, but I have not verification of that.

[Bruv]

Thanks for that information. That helps.
Dave

[vitts]

I have never seen one of these scoped . Is this a legit ww2 made Johnson rifle? Ca you post a pic of the scope? Thank you

[Bruv]

I got a look at it today. The guy said his grandpa bought it years and years ago. I couldn't tell if it had been drilled or anything like that as the scope was sitting on top of the receiver area. It looked to be all complete and in nice shape, but it did not have a bayonet lug. It was mentioned earlier that was perhaps a civilian version? He was asking $3000, but not knowing enough about them and no bayo lug, I passed on it. It was a pretty neat looking rifle, but didn't want to spend the money on the unknown.
dave

[villafuego]

There is no "civilian" version of the M-1941 Johnson.....

The sporterized gun shown is in a Winfield sporter stock.....and has been drilled/tapped for the scope.....

You did well to walk away....it's only value is as a shooter/parts rifle at this point....

[bmg17a1]

The Winfield sporterized Johnsons are a collector niche all by itself as Winfield was the most competent of the shops doing these conversions. They were very well done and quite a few of them were made, so there is a legitimate place for them in the history of Johnson's products.
The Johnson rifle was a military weapon so, as noted below, it was not made for civilian purposes, but after the war the flood of military rifles into the US, fostered the growth of the military "sporter" for hunting, and other civilian uses.

[Bruv]

Thank you for that information. I sure didn't know enough about it, but have a lot better idea now, and happy I didn't get it. If anyone is interested in it, I could probably get it for 2 k or even less. The guy is not too attached and it is an inherited gun.
Dave