Rupp-Kuntz

[smylee grouch]

On another post we were directed to the first pages of Kentucky Rifles & Pistols. Doing this brought me to other guns that I have always questioned, such as some of John Rupp's and Jacob Kuntz's guns. Some of the signed guns by both men share almost identical design elements that it looks as though both men had some working relationship. Has this ever been brought up before or can some one expound on my asumption?        Gary

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Gary, it is obvious that Jacob Kuntz and John Rupp had some sort of working relationship.  The inlay and engraving work surely is that of Jacob Kuntz.  Perhaps Mr. Whiskers and other scholars can shed some illumination here.

[jwh1947]

Two classic eastern Pennsylvania makers.  There is a Berks, Bucks, Lehigh, Northampton, Dauphin overlap.  Motifs sometimes shared.  Familiarity likely.  

Some engraving likely not done by the builder.  Just like today.  No doubt, silversmiths, whitesmiths, and jewelers down the street did some of it, though I believe conventional wisdom has it that Kuntz, Sr. did his own.  

By the way, where is Scooter?  Somebody tick him off?  I miss the academic bent with attitude.  Wayne