Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Need info on ancient custom rifle

Have the opportunity to buy an old Savage Model 1920 that was customized by Johnson Automatics Co. in Providence, RI in the late 1940's. This is the same company that made the Johnson Automatic Rifles for the Marine Corps parachute echelons during WWII and also specialized in sporterizing military surplus Mausers and Springfields after the war.

This one's chambered in 250-3000 Savage, which was an original chambering for the M1920 rifle, but it was rebarreled by Johnson. What I'm wondering is if anyone's familiar with the work this company did and/or might have an old catalog or magazine around with an ad stating what twist they would have used. Savage used a 1-14" twist for 85gr bullets, but by the time this conversion was done ('47 or '48) it was wide-spread knowledge that the 250-3000 worked better with a 1-10 twist barrel and heavier 100gr bullets.

The gun's in great shape and at a very decent price, but if it's a 1-14 twist it's kind of pointless IMO.

I would try this post on the Savage Forum, lots of expertise there.

My Dad and I both owned M20 rifles in .300 Savage (he still has his!), but I didn't know Johnson was into custom work. That is an interesting story.

If you get it you can always shoot the 85-87 gr bullets, there are some good ones out there that are as effective as 100 gr cup and core bullets.

jim

Whether or not I get it really depends on how high the bidding goes. Being customized and D&T'd I personally wouldn't go over $300-400 for it as original and unmolested examples in excellent shape only pull in around a grand.

Reason I didn't post it in the Savage Collectors board is because one of them would probably try to swipe it out from under me. Those guys will outbid one another into the poor house all day long over a gun without batting an eye. Makes me laugh sometimes, especially when you see how high they'll bid up a 99.

In early post WWII American Rifleman ads, Johnson lists reblueing, refinishing, and complete renewal of any rifle for a fixed price. They also suggest that they be contacted for an estimate on custom work of any type. Oddly enough they offered a gun cleaning service! There were special prices on Springfields, mausers etc. The ads also pictured a Johnson Custom of the month. It was usually a lightened Springfield or Mauser, sometimes with an add on muzzle brake.
I have no idea what your gun might be worth.

I cant help you on the twist rate of the barrell or any additional information on Johnson automatics but I do own a rifle that was barrelled by them. It was my grandfathers, It is a 1917 enfield that he sent to Johnson automatics and they machined the ears off the rear sights and barreled it in .270 win. My grandfather bedded it into a Bishop stock and mounted an extemely early version Weaver 4x scope in a removable side mount.

Anyway, all I can tell you is the Johnson Automatics barrell is an extremely good barrel. It is extremely accurate and is extremely easy to clean. That old rifle is still wacking and stacking deer and hogs and other creatures.

Actually, Johnson made many "pencil barreled" bolt action sporters in the 50's & 60's, and their barrels were also used by nearby Gartman Arms, once a custom gun shop in Plainfield, Mass - who seemed to convert mostly Springfields.