Howdy,

I am studying the origins of the American classic stock design as part of my stockmaking class here at Trinidad State Junior College. A stockmaker by the name of Morgan Holmes wrote a series of articles on stock design in 1946 which were published in the American Rifleman. Do any of you have these back issues in your collections? If so I would be willing to pay a fee for copies of the articles.

Thanks,

Brian Bingham

Brian,
Morgan Holmes wrote 3 articles in 1946 that were published in the American Rifleman. In May it was titled "Getting the Gun You want" and in July and August it was "Remodeling the Military Mauser" and the one I think you are referring to is "The Super Sporter" in the November issue (there are two of the Nov issues in the album). The good part is I have all of those.

The bad part is they are all in one of those maroon and gold leather bound albums with American Rifleman embossed on the cover in gold and I don't want to break the set up.
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The good news is that it is yours gratis and I will pay the shipping. Just email me your address and I will get it in the mail, probably as printed matter. Takes a bit longer but this puppy weighs about 7 pounds. If going through college is any thing like it was when I went you need all the change you can hang onto. It was just gathering dust here.

Chic, you are an honorable man.

If I ever get to meet you I will buy you a drink!

Chic,

Thank you very much for your kind offer. I sent you a personal message with my address.

Do you have any information on Holmes' background and work?

Brian Bingham

As to Morgan Holmes, ask Mike Petrov, mjpetrov@acsalaska.net. I think Holmes did some stockwork for Townsend Whelen and may have been the stockmaker for National Target & Supply Co. before WWII, a firm in which Whelen had an interest.

Brian, I know nothing about Mr. Holmes. I wish I could help you with his history.

Brian :
Morgan G. Holmes started in business 1923 and was located on Woodland Road Montvale, New Jersey. He was a member of the American Gunsmiths Guild and is listed in their 1948-1949 “Blue Bookâ€. I tried to do some background work on him and my notes show he was not listed in any of the census records. I don’t believe that I have ever seen a stock that I knew was made by him.

Mark: Holmes, Hutton & Humphrey.
Whelen used both William L. Humphrey and John Hutton to make stocks for him, the latter worked with him at National Target & Supply Co.

MP

Mike, you are right, Holmes had nothing to do with Whelen at National Target. Too many stockmakers whose names began with H.