Michael Petrov RIP

[Tom Trevor]

Michael Petrov died this morning at the Providence Medical Center in Anchorage after fighting cancer throughout most of last year. It came back very aggressively this year. He had a lot of very complicated things happening in his body but he passed peacefully.

He was a great researcher and author of several columns in magazines as well as his two volume books on the Custom American Gunmakers. For any of you that had the opportunity to view his collection in person, it was incredible. Not just the firearms and accessories themselves, but the stories behind each gun. There was no such thing as coming over for 20mins ...

Michael will be greatly missed by many friends and families and is survived by his wife and daughter Charity.

No word on services yet ...

Respectfully ...
Joe Dobrzynski
Anchorage, Alaska

[Kurt]

A truly sad day. An amazing man that brought so many fine guns to life here and in his books. I like many, many here eagerly awaited the next beautiful rifle he shared from time to time, all priceless as he himself.

Michael, rest in peace.

Kurt

[ClaudeH]

I am saddened.

God speed Michael!

[John Beard]

The news of Michael's passing is deeply saddening. I was a significant benefactor of his research and discoveries. Above all, I was honored to be his friend. He will be sorely missed.

I extend my warmest and sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones.

J.B.

[Dan Shapiro]

A very sad day indeed.

Condolences and prayers for the family.

[CPC]

My sincere condolences to the family. It is so sad that we have lost another great contributor to the firearm community. I always read his posts and eagerly awaited the next exciting rifle he would share with us. While I never met him that I am aware of (maybe in passing at a show), I will surely miss his comments and expertise on the forum.

RIP.
CC

[Jeff L]

This is such sad news. Condolences to the family. We lost a great source of 03 sporter knowledge. No many folks out there with his depth.
For those who did not know who he was: http://finegunmaking.com/page33/page25/page25.html

[PhillipM]

Condolences to his family. I always looked forward to his posts, he was truly a wealth of knowledge... I think my favorite rifle of his was the gear driven left handed conversion 1903.

[Allen Humphrey]

While I did not know him personally, I certainly enjoyed his posts and pictures and I respected his ability to stay "above the fray" on line. My condolences to his family.

[Marine A5 Sniper Rifle]

I can't believe that old oil field trash has gone to the big reservoir in the sky. I never met him in person, but spoke to him via phone on several occasions. I was very impressed with his knowledge and willingness to share same. It was Michael who got me started on my quest for the Neidner sniper rifles - dang him. I never knew he was sick. I will miss him for sure.

I hope his family is OK. I am sure they are heartbroken over their loss. God speed Mr. Petrov.

Jim Tarleton

[Rick the Librarian]

This comes as a total shock - I just emailed him not that long ago.

Like many of the rest of you, he was my "go-to" guy on fine sporterized M1903s. His collection was stunning! But more than that, he was always willing to help. When I obtained a Griffin & Howe-modified M1903 a couple of years back, he spent a lot of time on the phone and email "walking" me through what I had. As John Beard said, I benefitted by his friendship and I'll miss him.

He literally "wrote the book" on the subject of fine sporterized M1903s and he will be missed - both by me and by the M1903 community.

Godspeed and rest in peace, Michael!

[chuckindenver]

shocking to say the least, sad news.

[Promo]

Though I was not much in contact with Michael I will remember him as someone who was not only always willing to help with any request I've had, but also as someone who was very knowledgeable and self-forgetful. Rest in Peace, and thank you for everything you've done and shared.

[Mike D]

Damn. That news just sucks. We all certainly enjoyed the info he so freely shared.

I will surely take a drink in Michael's name tonight. When I do, I will explain to my wife who he was. She won't be interested, but I will likely think about him until I retire for the night.

I pray for him and his family.

Mike DuBois

[rebound]

It would be a far better world if we had more people like Michael in it..
But sadly we now have one less.....
God bless him and his family.