As Michael mentioned, we both had different pieces to a puzzle that I believe Michael has solved.
A gun I had purchased over 30 years ago, had been acquired from a member of the Koshollek family. It was purported to be Emil Koshollek's personal hunting rifle. On the toe-line immediately behind the grip cap is stamped "E.J. Koshollek" with a stamp made from typewriter keys. That was the known info about the gun when I purchased it. There were rumors that it possibly was a Linden stock, but I leaned toward an Emil Koshollek stock because I knew he also did stockwork.
Recent removal of the butt plate revealed the initials "A.J. Koshollek". This was a complete mystery to me until Michael filled in some missing blanks. The two brothers accomplished some collaborative efforts in gunmaking.......and at least one incidence of holding a joint a patent in bullet making.
Michael and I believe this rifle to be an early collaborative effort of the Koshollek brothers. In all likelyhood the "A.J. Koshollek" stamp under the butt plate implies Alois did the stockwork.
I believe this is likely the early efforts of Emil in machining butt plates and grip caps. Certainly not to the level he accomplished later, but not complete junk either.
My brother now owns this rifle, and will be supplying more pictures of it early this week. The style will be obvious it is an earlier effort in stockmaking.
Right-click, view-image will give larger pictures.
