That case coloring is almost as pretty as the wood! This rifle is very close to a Platonic ideal, Doug. When I close my eyes and think "22 rifle" that's the type of image that leaps to mind. Spectacular!

 

That is certainly one to be proud of .... and to cherish. 😍

 

WOW JUST WOW!!!!!
I think the earlier Cooper’s were much nicer and given more attention to detail than ones that have came out in the last 10 years or so. At least the ones that I have personally seen or handled. They seem to produce way more synthetic stock rifles in recent years, which is all the rage. As with most companies, the bigger somebody gets, they tend lose focus. Hopefully the new owners will pick up where Cooper started years ago. We can only hope.

 

That is one fine rimfire a keeper for sure.

 

I'll take it...

 

What year was it made?

Art

 

That's a cool one Doug! I'm not sure I'd seen that one before. It's easy to see why you'd cherish it

 

fantastic beautiful !!!!!!!!

 

About as good as it gets! So much so that, even if it was not a great shooter, you'd still lust for it.

 

Beautiful

 

That is a gorgeous rifle, and the stock design/shape is just about perfect. I know some of the Kimber stockmakers went to Cooper, some of the rest went to KoA and designed/built the K22 stocks. No doubt the Cooper stocks are as nicely shaped as late 82B/C stocks and nicer than the K22s... my opinion. Just something off about the pistol grip/comb transition on the K22, and of course the fluted cheekpiece on the 82C SA is much nicer than on the K22 SA.

 

Hard to imagine a nicer rifle, Doug, but, if I were in line to inherit one of your rifles, I would still opt for that gorgeous 52 sporter of yours.

ObiJohn, you are absolutely right about the K22 stocks in the wrist area...some of them are downright ugly. I thought I was the only one that noticed.

If I were to rate the best-shaped stocks, I think I would go with the later Dakotas followed by the KoO As and Bs. To me, the best looking stock on any production rifle is the early Dakota M10s. Don Allen definitely had the artist's eye. This is my ideal in the wrist area:

 

TBR, that Winchester 52 and this Western Classic are fighting for first place in the hierarchy. I strongly suspect that the stock on this Western Classic is a product of LeRoy Barry who made or managed the making of many of the early Cooper stocks. And, of course, he went on, along with his wife, Connie, to their own fame with Canyon Creek. I am fortunate to have several of their masterpieces.

But I drool every time I see that Dakota and do I think you have more than one? I think English Walnut is my favorite. That's what I have on my 52 and a Kimber 82 A* -- LeRoy did both for me.

We definitely have similar tastes in sporters.

* Edit: I should post pics of my 82A in English Walnut in the Kimber forum.

Doug

 

What year was it made?

Art

Art, given the somewhat mystical way Cooper assigned serial numbers (mine is only four digits), it is very difficult to say with any certainty. The 57M was introduced in 2001, and the early versions (which many regard as Cooper's best) had the mag release as on mine (I've seen only one other 57M with the same mag release). If I had to guess, mine was probably made in the 2001-02 time-frame.

Doug

 

What is the test target date?

 

Whew! I stopped breathing for a beat or two.

 

Enjoy. I do.

Doug

Doug,

The moment you don't enjoy that rifle any longer, contact me and somehow I will make room in my Home for Abused .22 Sporting Rifles. I will even come get it to save you the shipping costs.

BRP

 

I currently own only one, but I have owned a total of three Dakota M10s. One was just a barreled action in .17 HMR that I later sent down the road because I acquired the above M10 and rebarrelled it to .218 Bee. The other was from my former work associate's collection that I was almost shamed into buying. It had perhaps the most stunning English walnut stock I've seen, or, at least to my tastes, the most attractive grain, that was set off by tasteful case colors and gold wire. Alas, it was chambered for 6.5 Swede, a wonderful cartridge I had no desire to own, so I no longer own this rifle. Had it been a .270, or had a Niedner butt plate, it would probably still be in the herd. Eye candy:

 

TBR, just gorgeous! I think that's the one Tom got? If not, his has the same spectacular English Walnut. I didn't shoot it, but I was fortunate to handle it.

Doug

 

Dang TBR! I love the 6.5 Swede and that rifle would be my huckleberry for sure. I do love my Mauser M98 sporter in .270 WIN, but the 6.5 Swede is a wonderful caliber for close range deer and hog hunting and very accurate.

 

Thanks Doug for those great pictures of that rifle. Always like seeing it. I saw one of those for sale at Kentucky Gun Company several years ago. I think it was close to three thousand dollars for it then. Bargain in todays dollars. Alas it was in 17hmr.

 

I had a Cooper Peregrin Falling block years ago . I kick myself weekly for ever letting it get away

 

Spectacular!

 

Unfortunately, I got no box or paperwork with the rifle. And given Cooper's current situation, asking them would be a dry well.

Doug

 

Nonetheless, it is a beautiful rifle!

I also have a 57M Western Classic that may follow me to the grave.

Art

 

Beautiful stock, Art. But we need more pics than that!

Doug

 

I posted these a few years ago, but since you insist.