No info but is that a LH Bolt or picture reversed?
A lefty and just always find LH stuff interesting

 

Especially vintage

 

Good eye. Yes, my dad was left-handed, and this is a left-hand action.

I've been trying to determine if he had Ray Morgan build this specifically for him, or if it's just one that he happened to acquire.

 

Howdy Larry,

The best info I've found on the Morgan Johnson rifles doesn't really tell as much as I'd hoped for, but here is a link to it:



That should take you to the March, 1947 American rifleman article entitled "Lock, Stock & Barrel". It mostly talks about Eric Johnson, who was by far the best known man of the three who were starting to build the rifles. At the time of that writing there were a couple of prototypes if I recall correctly, and then just one that was being tested.

From the best research I've been able to do over the last several months, the rifles were initially built for an individual when ordered.

The only way I can think of to prove whether or not it was built specifically for your Dad would be to contact someone with a copy of Eric Johnson's shop records.

The American Single Shot Rifle Association has a copy. Since you mentioned on benchrest.com that your Dad's rifle was built in 1948, that would help with the lookup. Here is the website link, I have not looked around on it to find how to contact them regarding a lookup.

https://www.assra.com/

The person who does the lookups posts here on rimfire central from time to time, and here is how to contact them with a conversation:

https://www.rimfirecentral.com/members/fallingblock.21929/

If you get a chance to read it, I left you a message both here and on benchrest.com several months ago, it should be the same message if I recall correctly.

Hope this helps.

Take care,

Greg

 

Larry
Nice to see that another one of morgans rifles are still out there-I have number 60 with a johnson barrel dated 8/23/52-thru a friend in the assra i was able to find that the origional owner was from white plains new york and traveled to wallingford,ct to shoot it in matches. I shoot it occasionally with a 24 power tasco externally adjustable scope with very good results in a 40 shot prone match at 100 yds-they are excellent actions-There are several more "morgans" in this area -connecticut- but most stay in safes-good luck
Ed

 

Ed,

Thanks very much. Would you mind sharing the name and contact info of your friend in the ASSRA? Possibility he may be able to find info on my Morgan. If you'd prefer not to share, I understand.

Larry