Author Topic: Herman Rupp for Brian (Read 5480 times)

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **on:** March 05, 2020, 11:11:06 PM »

I just finished my third rifle for this winter...a Herman Rupp for my buddy Brian. It is based on both 1793 and 1809, taking features from both. Brian collected the parts from various sources over a period of time, and asked me in the late fall to build this rifle for him. Various circumstances caused me to come out of hibernation (retirement) and I was happy to put this one together for him. I have been forwarding images to him throughout the build, but he has not seen the rifle finished. So you and he get this first glimpse. I welcome any and all questions and critique.

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #1 on:** March 05, 2020, 11:15:18 PM »

Rather than try to post all of the pictures at once, I am adding them in lots...they are big files.

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #2 on:** March 05, 2020, 11:17:11 PM »

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #3 on:** March 05, 2020, 11:18:48 PM »

rich pierce · « **Reply #4 on:** March 05, 2020, 11:22:27 PM »

I think Brian’s a great guy and all but this might be better than he deserves

Just kidding, Brian! Better be careful Taylor or Daryl will get jealous!

Marcruger · « **Reply #5 on:** March 05, 2020, 11:23:46 PM »

Would you look at that finish work. Miles deep. Beautiful as usual Taylor. You did a great job with that architecture too good sir. Thank you for the chance to see it. God bless, Marc

Algae · « **Reply #6 on:** March 05, 2020, 11:33:12 PM »

You blow me away Taylor! Absolutely gorgeous!!

Al J.

borderdogs · « **Reply #7 on:** March 05, 2020, 11:53:37 PM »

All I can say is WOW!!!
Rob

KC · « **Reply #8 on:** March 06, 2020, 12:39:09 AM »

That's a great looking rifle, beautiful work. I really like the ramrod pipes, not sure I've seen them like that before. Well done.
K.C.

J. Talbert · « **Reply #9 on:** March 06, 2020, 01:49:58 AM »

Great work Taylor!
Very attractive rifle.

Jeff

LynnC · « **Reply #10 on:** March 06, 2020, 02:14:37 AM »

Beautiful. Just beautiful. And a Rupp rifle too. I love it. Brian is a fortunate man indeed.

smart dog · « **Reply #11 on:** March 06, 2020, 02:16:03 AM »

Wonderful Taylor! I love those guns and you do them justice. Beautiful clean work.

dave

adam h · « **Reply #12 on:** March 06, 2020, 03:26:08 AM »

Taylor, wonderful rifle. I was wondering what you found on this build that challenged you. also what
did you use on the stock I really like the way that looks.

StevenV · « **Reply #13 on:** March 06, 2020, 03:29:11 AM »

Not too shaby Taylor. Love the toe plate , real nice ! After sanding then what for the finish? Where did you get the idea for the pipes? Very nice , has to be rewarding for you. StevenV

AMartin · « **Reply #14 on:** March 06, 2020, 03:29:27 AM »

Oh that Brain is one lucky guy (but we already knew that)
Great job there Taylor ...

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #15 on:** March 06, 2020, 04:45:35 AM »

Many thanks for all the kind words. A little about the rifle: it features a Rice 45" x .50 cal bbl, splendidly inlet by David Rase, and a nice piece of very hard and figured BC maple. the lock is a Chambers' Dale Johnson and the butt plate is a Reeves Goering.
Answering questions: the pipes are of .050" thick brass and the form is purely Rupp, taken from "An Intimate Look at the Longrifle". The motif on the tail of the entry pipe is repeated on each end of the trigger guard and on the buttplate return, again, all HR.
The stain was Tannin Acid, Ferric nitrate, and the finish is Circa 1850 Tung Oil Finish. I gave it a coat of MinWax and a buff when all was assembled, which gives the rifle a deep shine. The steel (barrel, trigger plate and trigger, and rear sight, are browned with Laurel Mt. Forge solution, cut 50% with distilled water. the steel was burnished with steel wool to remove all rust scale, per Brian's wishes. Following burnishing, it was scrubbed with baking soda and rinsed with boiling water, then waxed with Minwax.

Will sight it in for Brian on Saturday. I suspect the factory front sight is too high. Work, work, work....

TommyG · « **Reply #16 on:** March 06, 2020, 04:49:22 AM »

Taykor, that is outstanding in every aspect. Love your domed box. Great work!!

Brian · « **Reply #17 on:** March 06, 2020, 04:58:26 AM »

That I (Brian) is fortunate is the understatement of the year. I am truly brought to tears by what my friend Taylor has done for me. I don't know what to say.

Goo · « **Reply #18 on:** March 06, 2020, 05:49:29 AM »

I like it that you took the time to orient the screw slots in the same direction it communicates a feeling orderliness to the piece. But I have to ask why the nails are not iron? They have a reddish look are they bronze? Copper? Is it artistic license? Or is it something Rupp did ?

Brian · « **Reply #19 on:** March 06, 2020, 06:06:21 AM »

I’ve been reviewing this thread and want to add something to it that I think should be said. I am in a position to do that because the rifle was made for me – by my friend Taylor.

There have been many complimentary comments made on this thread about the outstanding quality of this rifle, and all are certainly accurate and well deserved. It is truly a masterpiece. It’s a work of art. The quality of the rifle goes without saying. Simply outstanding. Anybody who has spent any time on this site at all knows how talented Taylor is and the quality of work he does. What I want to comment on here is the quality and character of the man who built the rifle.

Last year about this time I was diagnosed with some serious health issues. The nature of that is not important to this. What is important is what my friend Taylor did when he found out. As anyone who knows me is well aware, I have always had a real love of the Allentown/Lehigh rifles – especially those of Herman Rupp. For years I have wanted such a rifle, and I have been researching and saving the various parts and pieces towards such a build. It was always my dream to have such a rifle.

Enter Taylor. Despite being officially “retired” from building, Taylor – on his own - took it upon himself to see this dream of mine come true for me. He would not take no for an answer. This rifle was going to be built, and he was going to see it done for me. Period. He did that for me as his friend.

What you see in these photographs is the result, and to say that the rifle is outstanding is an understatement. The pictures speak for themselves. The rifle is a masterpiece.

But what means far more to me than the rifle is what my friend did for me – simply because he is my friend. He did this for me so that my dream would come true. There are no words for that - other than thank you Taylor.

BOB HILL · « **Reply #20 on:** March 06, 2020, 06:44:48 AM »

Great rifle. Greater friend. You’re a very fortunate man. Thanks for sharing.
Bob

Curtis · « **Reply #21 on:** March 06, 2020, 08:36:15 AM »

Don't want to sound like a suck-up Taylor, but YOU ARE THE MAN! Amazing work.

Curtis

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #22 on:** March 06, 2020, 08:43:17 AM »

Well, I'm humblified! You are most welcome buddy.

Regarding the use of copper for the nails to retain the silver inlays, that is a feature of the 1809 rifle. The '97 rifle has silver or iron nails, but I thought the copper looked funky, and they are easy to make. What challenged me? Good question. During the build, I naturally did as much research as I could, pulling out all of the reference material in my considerable library. But there were nuances that I was challenged by, and so I consulted the man we all consider to be the Lehigh Grand Poobah, Allen Martin. A couple of short email notes, an exchange of some pictures, and I was reassured that I was going in the right direction. I appreciated Allen's wisdom and perspective. A feature of Lehigh rifles in general, and Rupp's in particular, is the notable ridges that run from the lock back into the wrist. These give the wrist a rather diamond shape, and it would be easy to overdo them. I tamed mine back and gave the buttstock a softer, happier feel. Another feature that is critical, is the shape of the buttstock from above...the stock is actually quite swamped and the cheek piece appears to be just rising out of the side of the stock. I also had to pare down my cheek piece to make room for the carving pattern which is totally Ruppish.
I began making the rifle on Dec. 27th, and though I have a ways to go to even come close to others skill and speed, I am not disappointed with the workmanlike manner with which this rifle went together.
Now I'm going to finish a A. Verner side arm that I started 8 years ago...for me!

louieparker · « **Reply #23 on:** March 06, 2020, 05:03:24 PM »

Brian that is a very fine rifle and Taylor is a great friend.. Two very important things to have.....LP
PS< Your post on Mar 5 was great !

t.caster · « **Reply #24 on:** March 06, 2020, 05:14:13 PM »

Taylor, glad to see you've come out of retirement. This piece of work and artistry shows you are still in your PRIME! I can't wait to see your latest Verner creation when it is done!

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Author Topic: Herman Rupp for Brian (Read 5480 times)