I just obtained an older 98 Custom Mauser of excellent quality,fine wood, checkering, bluing and hand engraving. The rifle was made by Kess Arms Co. Any info would be appreciated! Thanks Jerry

I'm sure they were post-war and I don't have a file on them. They were located (1956) at 3183 N. Green Bay Ave. Milwaukee, WI. I'll look tomorrow for more.

I think a Kess or two were shown in the custom gun section of the Gun Digest in the 60s or 70s.

THANKS GUYS! Headed to Land of Lincoln [IL.] for muzzleloading hunt. Will stay online to check your info!!! You guys can always be counted on! Jerry

Jerry,

I also admired their work in the GUN DIGESTS.

In March '68 I wrote for a brochure or catalog. Harland L. Russell replied "I am sorry we do not have any fancy literature or pamphlets to send out..... if you have a particular job to do we would be glad to quote on it."

Their letterhead reads "Kess Arms & Marine" at 3283 N. Green Bay Ave. There is also a logo for Kiekhaefer Mercury.

Hope this helps-good shooting.

"Custom Built Rifles" by Richard F. Simmons 1949 has an address for Kess Arms Co. at 100 W. Center St. Milwaukee, Wis.

Two Kess rifles here,

http://www.williamlarkinmoore.com/Arrivals.htm

Sorry to dredge up an old thread, but this one really got my attention. You see, my father very likely built your Mauser.

My dad, Warren Reichow, was the primary gunsmith and custom gun builder at Kess Arms for over 25 years. The business was owned by Harland "Russ" Russell and his wife, Marge. My dad did about 75% of the metal work and maybe 90% of all stock work. Sometime around 1970 they moved the business to Brookfield, Wisconsin and Harland passed away. Marge and my dad continued as Kess Arms until it was sold to Jays Sports in Menomonee Falls. Until shortly before his death in 1988, my father continued to work part time for Jay doing general gunsmithing as well as taking on the occasional custom job on the side.

Your Dad built a mighty fine rifle! Mine is engraved, did he do any engraving?
I bought mine from the estate of a gentleman who had beautiful rifles built but NEVER shot any of them! It was absolutely Mint. In fact ,he was not even a shooter...just a collector. Mine had never even had the plug screws removed from the scope mounting holes. BTW where did the Kess name come from? How and When did they start? Did your Dad mark his work? Again you should be very proud of his work! Warmest Regards Jerry

Thanks for the kind words. Dad didn't do engraving, and I wouldn't know who might have done yours. Unfortunately I don't have any info on the early history of Kess Arms. I would love to see a pic your Mauser.

I am in Montana hunting and my rifle is in a gun safe back home. I'll try and get one in the next week or so. Thanks Jerry