Anvil 058: Johnson Automatic Rifle

This guide provides an expert overview of the M1941 Johnson Rifle's disassembly and maintenance, drawing from ARTV's detailed explanation. It highlights the unique short-recoil action, removable barrel, and 10-round rotary magazine. The instruction emphasizes thorough cleaning and proper reassembly, crucial for preserving this historical firearm's functionality. Expert insights from American Rifleman field editors underscore the importance of understanding its innovative design legacy.

This entry details the mechanics of J.C. White's .30-06 toggle-locked prototype rifle, as presented by Ian McCollum. It covers the short-recoil action, en-bloc clip feed, unique bolt lock, and barrel recoil system, drawing comparisons to other historical firearms and highlighting findings from British military trials. The information is derived from expert analysis and visual demonstration.

This video details the barrel of the Johnson 1941 rifle, highlighting its similarities to the AR-15 barrel extension. The presenter discusses the process of restoring a sporterized Johnson 1941 barrel, including removing unwanted modifications and using Evapo-Rust to address pitting and corrosion. The segment emphasizes the historical connection between Melvin Johnson's designs and Eugene Stoner's AR-15.

This guide details the disassembly of the Rheinmetall MG-17 aircraft machine gun, focusing on its unique feed mechanism and short-recoil operation. Expert insights from Ian McCollum highlight the weapon's historical context and technical innovations. The process involves careful removal and inspection of the feed block and bolt assembly.

This guide details the field stripping process for the M1944E1/M1945 Johnson Light Machine Gun, as demonstrated by Ian McCollum. It covers barrel removal and accessing the buttstock storage. The video highlights the unique gas-assist recoil system and the monopod mechanism.

This guide details the field stripping process for the Johnson M1941 Light Machine Gun, as demonstrated by Ian McCollum. It covers the removal of major components like the barrel, receivers, and bolt, highlighting the weapon's short recoil operating system and unique disassembly features. The instruction emphasizes safety and the importance of proper reassembly for reliable function.

This guide details the expert gunsmithing process of sleeving a Peabody rifle's chamber to .45-70 Government, as demonstrated by Mark Novak. The modification involves precise machining on a lathe and milling machine to adapt the breech and extractor for the larger cartridge. Crucially, the rifle is only safe for black powder loads due to structural modifications.

This guide details a meticulous, conservation-focused restoration of a flood-damaged Mauser K98, led by Master Gunsmith Mark Novak. It covers advanced techniques for rust removal, wood repair, and finish preservation, emphasizing the importance of retaining historical integrity over achieving a pristine appearance. Novak's expertise is evident in his use of specialized tools and adherence to established gunsmithing principles from authors like Jerry Kuhnhausen.

This guide details the firing sequence of the 1918 Chauchat light machine gun as demonstrated by expert Mark Novak. It covers safe handling, live fire, and a detailed analysis of the weapon's unique long-recoil action using slow-motion footage. Novak's expertise is evident in his proficient handling and clear explanation of the mechanical operation.

This video details the conservation of a barn-found LC Smith 20 Gauge shotgun. Mark Novak demonstrates critical steps including barrel solder testing, proper disassembly with fitted tools, and analysis of the stock's inherent weaknesses. The conservation process involves boiling metal parts to convert rust to black oxide and treating the wood with oil, followed by meticulous reassembly and a successful test fire.