Hello PhysDoc,
Thanks for the reply.
I've seen a few rifles built by Kess Arms over the years and although the stock work is equal, I think the quality of the checkering is not as good on this rifle.
I know what you mean by; "It is hard to tell whether a custom rifle reflects the desire of the customer or the style of the riflemaker."
I bought my first Leonard Mews rifle from a man that told me he was selling it because; "Leonard built the rifle the way he thought I'd like it, rather than the way I told him I'd like it."