Eric Johnson Straight Pull serial #1
Thanks John! I have looked at everything here and a couple of other sites too! I might pm Mr. 40ezxs because he apparently had Johnson rebarrel some of his rifles.
The Straight Pull rifles are of particular interest to me, I own serial #1. This may be the rifle pictured in the March 1947 American Rifleman in an article entitled "Lock, stock, and barrel". The story is about Eric Johnson, and later, about Eric and Ray Morgan building the famous Morgan-Johnson target rifles. There is an older for the time photo of Johnson prone with a rifle. Under it, the caption states that he was the 1929 smallbore prone champion at Camp Perry using one of his own barrels. That rifle in the picture IS A STRAIGHT PULL!
There were 5 Straight Pulls that were sold, and a protoype made a total of 6. The prototype was kept by Johnson until he passed, as I understand it. Carl Johnson, Eric's son, who also was named in the article as being an outstanding target shot, was only about 3 years old or so when the straight pulls were sold. Carl sold his dad's shop equipment to someone several years ago. He gave me the man's name and number and said call him. He has a copy of the shop records too.
I called him. Interesting guy and very interesting conversation. When he got to "I have Eric Johnson straight pull serial #1", I was dumbfounded. I said, "You better grab a seat buddy, because I too, have Eric Johnson straight pull serial #1"! "WHHHAAAAT?"
He replied.
Much conversation, comparing notes and rifles ensued. His was the prototype, was never polished and blued, and had a later barrel because
Eric kept it through the years. It had not had the reciever drilled and tapped for iron sights. Mine was indeed, also serial #1. It was the first one sold, to Woolsey M. Caye of Louisville, Ky in 1933. In the American Rifleman article, the rifle pictured has a scope, and also the iron sights on the front of the barrel. I still PRESUME that it is the rifle standing in the corner 10 feet from me.
It seemed to me, and everyone I talked to, both novice and expert, that he would have kept serial #1 for himself. Well, indeed he did! My best guess would have been that he would have shot the first FINISHED, ie. polished and blued, rifle enough to get some exposure for it and it's capabilities so as to create a market for it. Then presumably would have tried to steer the first ones in the hands of exeptional shooters for further publicity.
Serial #3 was owned by Vere Hamer. He was initially credited with winning the 1938 Camp Perry smallbore prone championship. As the story goes, he was a very careful wind doper, and had not fired his final shot. He told the officials he couldn't accept the win as he had not fired the last shot. Character such as that is in great need today!
Serial #3, again in the hands of Vere Hamer, DID WIN the 1939 National Championship at Camp Perry. Kinda seems Providential, as if it were a reward from above for doing the right thing the year before, doesn't it?
These were capable rifles. Vere's nephew said that Johnson did not make anymore Straight Pulls as it would not be possible to compete with Winchester and later, Remington on volume or pricing. But accuracy? At least Vere was able to make the design competitive, and victorious! I am still wanting to know if anyone other than Vere Hamer took these rifles very far.
Again, any info about Eric Johnson and his work would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Greg
