Marlin made 4 prototype Johnson rifles in 1937. Taft-Pierce made another 7 prototype rifles in 1939. In late 1941, the Netherlands ordered 70,000 Johnson which were to be produced by Univeral Windings Company of Providence, Rhode Island. This company then found space at the Cranston Arms Company to manufacture the rifles and production began.
These rifles were supposed to be used by the Dutch East Indies to defend themselves against the Japanese. After about half the order was delivered to the islands, the Japanese captured them. The Dutch government then embargoed the remainder of the rifles.
The only US forces that actually used the Johnson was the newly created Marine First Parachute Battalion, which were issued them just prior to deployment to the Solomons in 1942. They did see some combat in the Solomons.
Soon after this, the Johnson was removed from service and replaced with M1 Garands.