entry thimble "swell"

[PKLeRay]

Anyone know the reasoning/history of the entry thimble "swell"?

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Likely simply fashion.  ...art!

[David Rase]

I was always under the impression that the swell at the entry pipe was originally incorporated on military rifles to enhance a soldiers grip when engaging in combat with the bayonet.  
David  

[PKLeRay]

That does make perfect sense!

[Acer Saccharum]

Golly, Mr Rase, you sure have a swell gun there.

[Telgan]

"Dog Knot" as Chuck Edwards calls them

[Stophel]

One of my many peeves is the misapplication of the "swells".  Particularly I see a lot of what are supposed to be German rifles (modern made) with these huge Brown Bess like dog knots on the fore end.  Makes me cringe.

Many guns will have raised carving in this area, and the carving can definitely rise out above the surrounding wood, but this type of carving definitely does not resemble the grotesque bulges that many people do.

[E.vonAschwege]

One of my many peeves is the misapplication of the "swells".  Particularly I see a lot of what are supposed to be German rifles (modern made) with these huge Brown Bess like dog knots on the fore end.  Makes me cringe.

I agree - the swell is appropriate on Brown Bess muskets and their related fusil cousins, and seen on some civilian arms that copied that style, but I've not seen it elsewhere.  When handling a Bess, it sure does add a nice extra amount of grip.  As Chris said, many German rifles have heavy and proud raised carving there, but it doesn't swell out much from the stock - instead the stock is relieved and gives the appearance of a swell. 
-Eric

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I can see that folks are interpreting this post as the wood stock swell.  I was thinking he meant the swell forged into the entry pipe at the transition of the pipe to the tail.

[Stophel]

The stock swell appears to be a Dutch stylistic element. Whether it was originally a military bayonet grip or not, I don't know, but i think likely. Dutch civilian guns can have the stock swell too... Though accompanied with carving. Since the Brown Bess was pretty much a copy of Dutch muskets, it's not surprising to see the knots there. I am unaware of their use on muskets from any other country, but military arms are not exactly my specialty. 

[David Rase]

I can see that folks are interpreting this post as the wood stock swell.  I was thinking he meant the swell forged into the entry pipe at the transition of the pipe to the tail.

Taylor,
I always called bump up on the entry pipe a thumbnail.   
David 

[Turtle]

 I put a one on my latest New England Fouler/militia musket. One of those entry thimbles would have been nice to use, but I didn't know about them. Looks OK anyway.
                               Turtle

[PKLeRay]

Yes I was referring to the wood swell. Makes sense for the grip while using the bayonet.