Hello All,

I Need Help Identifying the Maker of this Custom Rifle.

Maybe someone will recognize the checkering style. Your comments would be welcome.

According to the Family, it was custom made for Reynold H Rusch - He was from Minocqua, Wisconsin. I was told it was made for him in the 1950's or 60's, perhaps (?) by a Wisconsin Gunsmith.

It was built on a 1930's FN 98 Mauser Action ("Greek Contract" w/ Original Factory Barrel in 8x57 cal.)

Here's the specs:

- Mannlicher Stock of French Walnut w/ Metal Forend Cap
- Shadow Out-Line Roll-Over Cheek Piece
- Buffalo Horn Grip Cap w/ Compass
- Buffalo Horn Butt Plate
- Single Panel Wrap-Around Skip-Line Forend Checkering w/ Fluers
- Two Panel Skip-Line Grip Checkering w/ Fluers
- 13-5/8" LOP - 17-1/2" Barrel - 7-1/4 pounds
- Lyman 57 Rear Sight
- Lyman Ramp Front Sight w/ Brass Bead
- Buehler Low Profile Safety
- Jeweled Bolt
- Custom Turned-Down Bolt Handle
- Checkered Bolt Knob
- Checkered Trigger
- Engraved Screws
- Sling Swivels

more pictures

Have you considered that it might have been made by Kess Arms?

Here is a link to one of their rifles.

Kess Arms

It is hard to tell whether a custom rifle reflects the desire
of the customer or the style of the riflemaker.

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."

I would buy that rifle just to look at the wood.

It certainly has the "1950s look"! "Interesting" and as eightbore says, the stock wood is delicious. And kinda unique, at least I've never seen a "love knot" in the top of the buttstock quite like that one.

Handy gun for the Wisconsin woods; great ctg. for it, too. Wonder if it ever got used for its intended purpose?

Buckstix,
Have you taken it out of the stock and removed the buttplate to see if it is marked?
Mike

Hello Der Ami,

Thanks for the reply.

I've taken the action out of the stock - nothing in the barrel channel - but have not removed the butt plate yet, because its real Horn and I dont want to risk damaging it.

buckstix,
It was just a thought.
Mike

To my eye is is a strange mix of styles. Front half is what one would appreciate in a fast handling rifle for the woods. Rear half is IMHO set up more for deliberate use of a scoped rifle, which this is not, although the bolt is notched and has a low safety. The angle of the pistol grip doesn't lend itself to the fluid pointing of a fast handling rifle, at least for me. The wood is beautiful and the workmanship looks quite good in the pictures. It is in all a very handsome rifle with what I would call styling quirks. Maybe for once they reflect the owner's desires. It is great to see the receiver ring unmolested. Thanks for sharing.
Thaine

Hello Thaine,

Thanks for the reply.

Although the stock seems cut for a scope, it comes up perfect for use with the Lyman Peep.

I agree with you about the low profile safety and the bolt handle shape. Maybe the customer originally thought to add a scope, but didn't want to deface the beautiful crest on the receiver by drilling holes into it.

Or, perhaps the bolt was prepared ahead of time.