AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: Stoner creek on May 03, 2021, 03:40:21 AM

Title: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: Stoner creek on May 03, 2021, 03:40:21 AM

 I just picked up a rifle made by Mike Cox. I’ve seen his work in the past and everything that I have seen from his hand is beautiful. Does anyone out there know Mike or if he’s still making rifles? The last that I heard is that he lived in West Virginia.
Thanks!

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: Jerry on May 03, 2021, 04:41:08 AM

I used to keep in touch with Mike. He was from West Virginia. I have traded different steels used for engraving with Mike. Would really like to see pictures of his rifle you have. I have never owned one of his pieces, but always wanted one. His carving and engraving is exceptional. I haven’t heard the name Mike Cox for years. Thanks, Jerry

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: Stoner creek on May 03, 2021, 12:09:11 PM

Quote from: Jerry on May 03, 2021, 04:41:08 AM

I used to keep in touch with Mike. He was from West Virginia. I have traded different steels used for engraving with Mike. Would really like to see pictures of his rifle you have. I have never owned one of his pieces, but always wanted one. His carving and engraving is exceptional. I haven’t heard the name Mike Cox for years. Thanks, Jerry

I’ll try to post some pictures of the rifle later today.

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: BOB HILL on May 03, 2021, 09:02:52 PM

Wayne showed me this fine rifle Saturday and I  had a chance to handle it. Outstanding piece of work for sure.
Bob

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: J. Talbert on May 03, 2021, 09:45:25 PM

Dave Milem of Southpoint OH was a friend of his, and owned one or more of his rifles.  Last I heard Mike Cox was still around, but I don’t know if he’s still building.
He made some really nice guns of his own style.
Look forward to seeing your new one.

Jeff

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: Stoner creek on May 04, 2021, 01:14:04 AM

Alright y’all here you go. This piece is mounted entirely in Sterling Silver. I was never a big fan of silver mounted guns, but no more! A rifle like this is hard to photograph because there are so many fine details. My eye tells me that this is like a fine piece of jewelry. Enjoy.

(https://i.ibb.co/X5ZN1v8/8891-C8-B3-0816-4076-8335-9-CD3-DB21-F114.jpg) (https://ibb.co/t2MkgWX)

(https://i.ibb.co/gRgRdnh/D0172-A98-7-C31-4-AA7-868-C-961-AE59-AFFF4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/HHgHCJ3)

(https://i.ibb.co/jJSNtv7/C36-A4-EC5-A7-C7-4-BEC-957-E-CE844-E36321-A.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nPFGpsh)

(https://i.ibb.co/qD9gNvP/894956-C6-5-CA5-4724-8674-F7-B40-E474438.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3TWFpnL)

(https://i.ibb.co/nm2qwHg/25-E45332-AC4-E-4286-BDE4-8-C350-F05-D2-AA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QQB7J2b)

(https://i.ibb.co/fCS7ry7/9363-A846-EF1-F-4112-824-C-F5-E3-D4-CAA6-DD.jpg) (https://ibb.co/LCPf9cf)

(https://i.ibb.co/7jP3RJW/17828-DDE-F15-B-4-D67-95-A4-69-F51969279-A.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WGZrPWy)

(https://i.ibb.co/MpY8Fk6/73-C768-E0-4524-40-DF-AAB4-A9-ECE456-AB14.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7Vwgst4)

(https://i.ibb.co/d5XjDP9/5815-B319-2-B3-E-4419-BC5-A-ECD806259-AA7.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bKYQXsh)

(https://i.ibb.co/qydVrmK/6-FDD2-EE3-BFCE-4-B68-AE82-1-D50707-D953-F.jpg) (https://ibb.co/p0x5L4c)

(https://i.ibb.co/mGq4sKd/C9-A01127-10-FC-4-BFA-B215-CE3845-DB99-DA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/R90cnKt)

(https://i.ibb.co/FXqtp6f/55-F40-D57-98-C2-4111-A6-F2-9-F099280-F505.jpg) (https://ibb.co/m0F7pJY)

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: Daryl on May 04, 2021, 01:34:22 AM

Tks for the great pictures, Wayne. Nice indeed.

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: ed lundquist on May 04, 2021, 02:52:20 AM

WOW!

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: p.d. on May 04, 2021, 03:06:34 AM

Beautiful!  After seeing those pictures, I hope Mr. Cox is still building guns!

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: tallbear on May 04, 2021, 03:09:42 AM

Nice pick up there Mr Stoner!!!!!

Mitch

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: P.C.Child on May 04, 2021, 03:18:38 AM

That rifle is a keeper for sure. A work of art. Nice find!

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: smylee grouch on May 04, 2021, 03:34:00 AM

Agreed, that is a real traffic stopper! Top shelf in all aspects.

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: northup87 on May 04, 2021, 03:36:18 AM

Wow! That is exceptional work. I really like the screw placement and timing for the eye. So many great little details.

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: J. Talbert on May 04, 2021, 05:56:43 AM

Holy Cow,
That’s right up there with one or two others of his that I’ve seen that were really off the charts.
I’m looking forward to seeing that one in the flesh.
Jeff

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: Daniel Coats on May 04, 2021, 07:12:49 AM

Absolutely stunning!

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: Bull Shannon on May 04, 2021, 11:02:44 AM

Outstanding craftsmanship!

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: elk killer on May 04, 2021, 01:07:09 PM

Every once in awhile you see a flintlock that really turns your crank.....WOW..!!

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: Greg Pennell on May 04, 2021, 02:53:53 PM

W.O.W.!  What a Stunner!

Greg

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: Gary Tucker on May 04, 2021, 03:10:35 PM

Absolutely gorgeous rifle.  Right up there with the best of the best.  Hard to believe that work of that caliber stayed almost below the radar in the last few years.   His guns pictured in Contemporary makers have always been among my favorites.

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: Mike Brooks on May 04, 2021, 03:14:26 PM

Exceptional niftiness.

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: Robin Henderson on May 04, 2021, 03:23:36 PM

Hey...that looks surprisingly like an absolutely gorgeous rifle I got to caress at the Knoxville show. 8)

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: Tim Crosby on May 04, 2021, 03:29:49 PM

 WOW! The detail...I can't even think like that.

   Tim

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: Ken G on May 04, 2021, 03:35:26 PM

I'm not a huge fan of silver trim either but it all comes together on this gun.  Just good execution.  Thanks for sharing the pictures. 

Ken

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: Don Steele on May 04, 2021, 03:42:09 PM

Thanks for sharing that Wayne. I’m with Brooks on this one. I suspect Mr. Cox was “ Goin’ for Nifty” and he darn sure made it..!

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: Bob Roller on May 04, 2021, 05:42:59 PM

Mike's ideas in SMR's is a presentation rifle.Log Cabin had one for sale a while back
and it was over $5000.Dave Milem was here recently to pick up some triggers and he said that
Mike was going to make him another rifle.
Bob Roller

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: oldtravler61 on May 04, 2021, 11:38:20 PM

 Stoner is a true connoisseur of fine rifles.  Oldtravler

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: A.Merrill on May 04, 2021, 11:39:40 PM

 He is definitely a true master of the art of gun building. His engraving is beautiful, how his shading gives it a 3-D effect. Seen one of his SMR in a book, it's beautiful.   Al

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: Daryl on May 05, 2021, 12:11:33 AM

The "Griffon"(I assumed) on the patch box finial is amazing.

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: Nordnecker on May 06, 2021, 01:52:48 PM

I'm glad I looked at this thread.

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: Jerry on May 06, 2021, 09:20:54 PM

In trading graver tool steels with Mike, I ask him to send me one of his favorite gravers. When the package was opened I found nothing more than a three cornered file sharpened to a graver point.
Amazing work!

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: Marcruger on May 07, 2021, 07:53:05 PM

The rifle looks even better in person.  When I saw it, it reminded me of a dressed up Salem, NC Vogler gun to a degree.  A lovely rifle for sure, and I am glad Wayne snagged it. 

"The "Griffon"(I assumed) on the patch box finial is amazing."

Daryl, I think that finial has a "distelfink", or stylized goldfinchon top.  I was told that distelfink means "thistle finch" or goldfinch, but I don't speak German. It is one of my favorite patchbox designs. 

God Bless,   Marc

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: Leatherbark on May 07, 2021, 09:25:15 PM

I know Mike and will probably see him at our NMLRA Territorial match this weekend at the Kate Carpenter's Muzzleloading Club near Sam Black Church, WV.  He doesn't shoot in the match but he shows up regularly to chat and present his latest masterpiece that leaves us in "Awe".  I thought I heard he was either not making guns anymore or just slowed down but I might be mistaken. I have seen many of breathtaking rifles and fowlers of his.  I'm too ashamed to show him my rifles made from hammered horse dung.

Bob

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: flinter49 on May 08, 2021, 04:07:39 PM

WOW WE my dream gun the whole gun is fantastic, but the patch box is beyond that. Thanks for sharing.

Title: Re: Gunmaker Mike Cox
Post by: JTR on May 08, 2021, 06:35:22 PM

That rifle is just flat out fantastic! Right up there with the best of the very best modern made guns!
John