Z1r is going to be kind enough to post images of the rifle I built with the stock Mike Kokolus cut.

As usual, I pretty much followed my own inclinations.

The pattern was a Fajen European Mike Kokolus sent to me. I cut the wrist and entered a spacer to extend the wrist and open it up.

I did a little surgery on the schnabel, which was interesting.

The pattern was full-length bedded for the barreled action.

It's got too much drop to be optimum for a scope, but which is consistent with the European tradition.

Interarms MK X, 6.5x55
Dakota Safety
Timney Trigger
Is the butt pad "Old English"? The 'smith that made these was local, although I got it from Brownells. This poor guy got Alzheimers.
Wisener Front Barrel Band.
Bill Soverns cut the checkering, to my specs. Looking back, the fore end might have used some too.
I watched Murat's site for months to find this blank for $550. I expect those days are long gone.
I still have to fit a rear sling swivel stud. We'll do that on the mill at work.

I also forget the name of the gentleman who welded the bolt handle for me. I know his name has been posted here. I liked the style. He did at least half a dozen for me.

As I mentioned, I would have preferred to rust blue this, as I did my two previous projects, but I didn't have time.

And yes, I'd recommend Mike Kokolus in a second.

flaco

Pics:

Nice rifle, sure does lokk European!

You did a very nice job! Looks great.
Butch

Rather a "fawn's foot" effect on the schnabel, I do admire a straight bolt handle as that one; classic caliber- I'd enjoy carrying that rifle.

Barrel length?

Good job!

I've always said you have to be part cabinet maker and Mohel to carve a decent Schnable. Looks good though.

quote:

part cabinet maker and Mohel

Thanks. Wanna clean the coffee off my monitor?

Thanks, Z, for posting the images-

and Thank You Very Much, Gentlemen.

flaco

Mohel...hehe. Funneeeeeeeeey!

Beautiful wood and excellent grain flow. Well done!

Sure is a beautiful rifle!!!!
Kudos on a great job!!

Now I wish I had done the same treatment to my MK-X bolt handle, nice rifle and 6x55.

Okay, here's the thread where Mike posted images for me.

I believe the bolt was by Dennis Olson?

Thanks for the welcome.

flaco

Is Mike Kokulos still living? I had heard he died a couple of years ago and all of his stuff was liquidated?

Hello-

Check the dates.

I bumped a thread that started 2009.

For the rifle images.

Yep, Mike is long gone.

It's the nature of life.

Sadly.

He was a sweet man and did great work.

Liked to talk a lot, which was fine by me.

flaco

Other notes...

Bill Soverns did the checkering.

I knew him from the forum, and first met him at Reno. Only an obsessive would go to Reno.

I adored building rifles, and learned so much here.

Bill showed me around Reno, but I was too shy to say Hi! to Duane, who was a hero.

Anyway, poor Bill took on too many jobs, or whatever, and shot himself in the foot.

All I knew was that he was nice to me, and did good work.

I was a rookie, but, like I admitted, obsessive. And learned a lot here.

Who knows how many hours went into this rifle?

I didn't care.

I was doing something I wanted to do.

I ran my hands across the cheekpiece and butt this morning, and, it all shows.

It all shows.

I learned more than a little here, and it's all reflected in this rifle.

flaco

Nice looking rifle but with that much drop in the stock how dose the scope line up with the eye.

Mr. Kokolus passed on in 2011. Custom Rifle Stocks · Aaronsburg, PA is duplicating using all Mike's original patterns.

Thank you for posting the pictures of your great project. I love to see any example of Michael's legacy. He was a dear friend and I miss him terribly.