RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jun 13, 2022 9:28:35 GMT -7
I’ve come across this through the years but didn’t pay much attention other than it seems to create some amount of argument among shooters and makers and historians. I can’t even remember what the various names are to look into it further.  |
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Post by spence on Jun 13, 2022 20:46:27 GMT -7
In _The Kentucky Rifle_ by Merrill Lindsay, section on the Bethlehem school, describing a rifle by Herman Rupp from Lehigh Co., Pa., Lindsay discusses this figure. “Ahead of the trigger guard on this and the next Rupp gun are sheet metal cutouts representing an almond-eyed young lady with a pointy nightcap. These heads, sometimes called Indian heads, are often found on Bethlehem rifles. There is another one on No, 12, the Jacob Kuntz swivel breech….Still another is on a gun signed by a John Rupp illustrated in Joe Kindig’s book, and I have seen further examples in both the Herman Williams and the William Renwick collections. The Williams piece is unsigned and pre-Revolutionary with a wooden patch box cover and incised carving.”  Spence |
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Post by brokennock on Jun 14, 2022 15:37:08 GMT -7
I've read many ideas. I don't think we will ever know the true answer unless someone uncovers a letter from one of the builders describing a gun he just made for someone.
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Jun 15, 2022 5:19:08 GMT -7
Thanks, Spence. I’ve heard a lot of theories. One of those charming mysteries related to our period.
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Post by hawkeyes on Jun 30, 2022 13:55:58 GMT -7
The Rupp indian head.
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