Rifleman Q&A: Mismatched Parts On An M1941 Johnson?

by
posted on May 6, 2022
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Model 1941 Johnson rifle

Q: After years of looking, I was finally able to purchase an M1941 Johnson rifle. After getting it home and partially disassembling it, I was chagrined to discover that although almost all the parts were stamped with a serial number, not one matched the serial number of the receiver! I know that guns that have “all-matching” serial numbers are much more desirable to collectors than those that don’t, and I am wondering how much my Johnson rifle is devalued by having mismatched parts?


Model 1941 Johnson rifle markings
A Model 1941 Johnson rifle with typical receiver markings ( l.) and a non-matching serial number on the bolt ( r.).


A:
I think you’ll be happy to hear that the non-matching numbers do not devalue your Johnson rifle whatsoever. You’re correct that a gun that was originally assembled with matching serially numbered parts can be significantly devalued if such a gun now has non-matching parts. On most 20th century United States military rifles, the only serially numbered part was the receiver. The Model 1941 Johnson rifle, however, was manufactured under contract for the Netherlands Purchasing Commission, and, as is the case on many European military rifles, the specifications called for parts to be serially numbered. But, as confirmed by Johnson factory ledgers, there was no attempt made to assemble rifles with parts matching the serial number of the receiver. Thus, no Johnson rifles left the factory with “matching-numbered” parts. The reason(s) for going to the trouble of stamping serial numbers on the parts but assembling the rifles with no regard to these numbers has not been confirmed; nevertheless, that was the case.

Latest

Weatherby 307 New Models F
Weatherby 307 New Models F

New For 2025: Weatherby Model 307 Range XP 2.0 & Alpine ST Rifles

Weatherby's Model 307 bolt-action rifle opens up a world of aftermarket components to consumers, thanks to its Model 700 receiver footprint, and the company now has two new models for hunters and sport shooters.

Preview: Thunderbolt To The Rebels | The United States Sharpshooters In The Civil War

Author Darin Wipperman provides a tantalizing glimpse into the world of Berdan’s sharpshooters during the American Civil War.

Gun Of The Week: Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine

This week, we're on the range with the Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine, a rimfire variant of the AR-15 that's designed for reliability and gives enthusiasts a way to shoot affordably.

The Armed Citizen® July 11, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Japanese Last-Ditch Small Arms Of World War II

The crude assortment of fighting tools used by the Japanese during World War II give clues of an unprepared and unmatched last-ditch fight that ultimately lead to Allied victory.

Federal Ammunition Awards 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships

Federal Ammunition recently awarded the 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H shooting sports teen ambassadors.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.