The photos on this page show an attractive antique full-stock percussion rifle that is signed "ELI NUP". This is one of several firearms that were owned by Jacob L. Hostetler, who was born in 1885, died in 1961, and is buried in the Mount Nebo Cemetery in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Click here to read his obituary. Jacob didn't live far from the Pennsylvania long rifle gunsmith Elias Knupp, who was born in 1838 and died in 1917.
The gun closely resembles the work of Jonathan Dormayer (1826-1885), who was a brother-in-law of Elias Knupp. According to the 1860 census, Elias Knupp served a blacksmithing apprenticeship with Jonathan Dormayer. Elias Knupp was also an uncle of the Somerset County, Pennsylvania gunsmith Charles Monroe Knupp, who made similar rifles. Both Elias L. Knupp and Charles Monroe Knupp can be said to have followed the Dormayer School of gun making.
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Photos of the right-hand side of the Eli Nup (Knupp) rifle
The next photo provides an enlarged view of the rear portion of the rifle, from the buttplate to the lock panel of the gun stock.
The next photo provides an oblique view of the buttstock, with its pierced and engraved four-piece patch box and cast brass crescent-shaped buttplate. The toe of the stock is protected by a brass toe plate, and — unlike so many old muzzle loading rifles — the toe of the stock is unbroken. The stock appears to be varnished, which is not unusual for this school of gunsmithing. The buttplate has a thumbnail notch to facilitate opening the hinged lid of the patch box. Click here to see a picture with the patchbox lid open. Click here to see a top view of the buttplate. Click here for a top view of the buttstock and wrist.
The next photo provides an enlarged straight-on view of the patchbox. Each side plate has two piercings. The C-shaped finial of the patchbox is characteristic of the Dormayer school of gun making. The brass of the patchbox has a wonderful patina.
The next image shows the incised carving on the right-hand side of the wrist of the stock. The carving is repeated on the left-hand side of the wrist. The metal pin that holds the rear of the trigger guard to the stock is visible near the lower edge of the stock.
The next image shows the percussion lock and the mating lock panel of the wooden gun stock. The lock mortise is an excellent fit with the flat, unbeveled lock plate. The tail of the lock plate is rounded, and the lock appears to be commercially produced, rather than hand-made. The peripheral edge of the lock plate is decorated with a pair of engraved lines. The hammer also appears to have some engraving. As is typical on these old muzzleloaders, the portions of the lock plate and barrel that are near the nipple are corroded from the effect of percussion cap detonation. Click here for a straight-on closeup view of the lock in the cocked condition. Click here for a straight-on closeup view of the lock in the un-cocked condition.
The next photo shows the underside of the cast brass trigger guard on this old gun. For an enlarged side view of the trigger guard, click here.
The next photo provides an oblique view of the percussion hammer, and reveals that the front of the recessed nose of the hammer has a V-shaped notch — apparently to allow cap fragments to escape in a forward direction. The drum is cylindrical, and incorporates a vent screw with wrench flats. The gunmaker's name is visible on the top flat of the octagonal barrel.
The next photo provides an oblique view of the double set trigger arrangement. The set trigger (rear) is deeply curved, and the hair trigger front) is straight and rod-like. The trigger adjustment screw is located just to the rear of the hair trigger. The rod-like shape of the hair trigger concentrates the force of the light trigger pull on a small area of the trigger finger, for greater sensitivity. The dramatic difference in trigger shapes helps to shooter to determine which trigger he or she is touching by feel, without looking down.
The next photograph shows the engraved signature on the upper flat of the full-octagon barrel. As seems typical, Eli's signature is in block letters, rather than cursive. For a larger view of the barrel signature, click here. The wood that is closest to the drum is not badly scorched from the flash of percussion cap detonation, which suggests that the gun did not experience heavy use. The breech plug tang is pointed, as is typical in the region. The tang is surrounded by incised carving.
The next photograph provides a view of the ramrod entry pipe, and some incised stock carving that is located nearby.
The next image provides a top view of the back sight.
The next photo provies an enlarged view of the middle ramrod pipe.
The next photo provides a right-hand side view of the nose cap area. The dovetailed blade-type front sight and the front ramrod pipe are also visible, as is the transverse metal pin that retains the ramrod pipe to the stock.
The next photo provides a view of the nose cap area from a slightly different angle, in order to show the step-down cross-sectional transition of the stock, to match the cross-section of the nose cap. The forestock is decorated with parallel incised lines.
In the next view, the ramrod is absent, showing the forward barrel lug. The lug must be L-shaped, because no barrel pin is visible on the outer surface of the stock (see side views of this area that are included above). Click here for additional photos of the barrel lugs. The next photo provides a top view of the front sight.
Photos of the left-hand side of the Eli Nup (Knupp) long rifle
The following picture provides an overall view of the left-hand side of the rifle.
The next photo shows the left-hand side of the rifle from the buttstock to just forward of the stock panel for the lock bolt plate.
The next photo features the incised carving that is located rearward of the cheekpiece. The incised carving on this rifle is typical of the Dormayer school of gunsmithing. The photo also shows the toe plate. Click here to see a straight-on view of the incised carving that is located rearward of the cheekpiece. The incised carving on this rifle is typical of the Dormayer school of gunsmithing.
The next photo shows the cheekpiece on the left-hand side of the buttstock, and nearby carving.
The next photo shows the wrist carving, the lock bolt plate, and the stock panel for the lock bolt plate. Click here for an enlarged view of the incised carving on the left-hand side of the wrist. Click here for an oblique view of the lock bolt plate and breech plug tang.
The next photograph provides a closeup view of the flat, unbeveled lock bolt plate and the mating raised panel of the stock. The lock bolt plate is a whimsically curved variation of the type of lock bolt plate that is generally seen on rifles of the Dormayer school. The slot of the lock bolt is relatively unworn. Just rearward of the stock panel, the incised carving forms what I call a "beaver tail". On this rifle, the "beaver tail" contains a carved "X".
The next photo provides an oblique view of the incised carving along the bottom edge of the stock panels.
The next photo provides a view of much of the fore-end of this old black powder rifle.
The next photo shows the left-hand side of the ramrod entry pipe. The rear sight is located generally over the rearward end of the entry pipe. Click here for a higher-resolution view of the left-hand side of the ramrod entry pipe.
The next photo provides an oblique view of the robust dovetailed rear sight.
The next photo features the incised stock carving that is located in the general vicinity of the entry pipe and rear sight. The metal pin that retains the entry pipe to the rifle stock is also visible.
The next image provides an excellent view of the nose cap and the dovetailed front sight. The dovetailed base of the sight is brass, and the low blade of the sight appears to be silver or German silver. The ramrod tip is uncapped.
The next image shows the muzzle end and bore of this antique rifle. The cut rifling has eight grooves. The bore is surrounded by a decorative circle and a circle of eight round recesses. The front of the grooved sheet brass nose cap is uncapped, exposing the end grain of the rifle stock.
Return to the Gunsmith Index for more muzzleloader pictures
The first photo below provides an overview of the right-hand side of this nicely-proportioned rifle, which is stocked in curly maple. The rifle is in excellent condition, and exhibits very little wear and tear. The barrel length is 37 inches.
