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LOT 155
Attractive H. Gibbs Lancaster Marked Percussion American Long Rifle -
NSN, 45 cal., 45 inch octagon bbl., brown finish, curly maple stock. This rifle is signed “H GIBBS/
LANCASTER/PA” on the top of the barrel towards the breech for Henry Gibbs Jr. of Lancaster, Pennsylvania,
who Wood and Whisker in “Arms Makers of Lancaster County” indicate worked for his father and became a freeman
gunsmith in 1844 following his father’s death. Advertisements from the period also indicate he was working for S. A.
Danner in 1858 as a gunsmith and bell hanger. The swamped octagonal barrel has a brass blade front sight, a dovetailed iron
notch rear sight, a drum bolster, and a short tang. The lock has some simple scroll and game scene designs and appears to be marked
“GOLCHER”. The mounts are brass, and the rifle also has three German silver oval inlays. The lid release button is in the toe plate. The
curly maple stock has interesting checkering patterns on the wrist and a rectangular cheekpiece with an incised line at the edge.
Also see Lot 153 for another H. Gibbs rifle.
CONDITION: Very good with smooth dark patina, moderate pitting mainly on the breech and lock, old replacement drum and
nipple, attractively aged patina on the brass mounts, proud trigger guard finial, and mild overall wear. The stock is good with
some chips and slivers absent at the edges, repairs between the lock and breech, old coat of varnish, distinct checkering,
attractive flame figure, small crack on the left at the breech, and moderate dings and scratches. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 154
Charles M. Knupp Engraved and Incised Carved Somerset County
Percussion American Long Rifle - NSN, 32 cal., 36 1/8 inch octagon bbl., brown finish, curly
maple stock. Charles Monroe Knupp (1862-1937) was a late 19th and early 20th century gunsmith and saw
miller in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. He is believed to have been trained by his uncle Jonathan Dormayer
(Dunmeyer) and to have continued working as a gunsmith until shortly before his death long after breechloading
rifles had become the norm. His rifles are very similar to his uncle David Dunmeyer’s work, who was also a gunmaker.
The lightly tapered octagonal barrel has a browned finish and traditional blade and notch sights and circles and dots
around the muzzle. The single position lock is signed “C.M.K” like other known Knupp rifles and has some lined engraving. The
rifle is set up to fire only after setting the double set triggers. The rifle features engraved brass mounts and a figured curly maple
stock with incised scroll carving and molding.
CONDITION: Fine with a smooth blend of finish and brown patina on the lock and barrel, minor flash wear and pitting at the
breech, attractively aged patina on the brass mounts, glossy finish on the stock with some discoloration around the tail of
the lock and wrist, and generally minor overall wear. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
LOT 153
Documented H. Gibbs Engraved Percussion Lancaster American Long Rifle - NSN, 36
cal., 41 1/2 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/silver finish, maple stock. This rifle is featured on
page 104 of “Arms Makers of Lancaster County” by Wood and Whisker and is “H GIBBS” on the top barrel flat behind the
rear sight for Henry Gibbs Jr. of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who the book indicates worked for his father and became a freeman
gunsmith in 1844 following his father’s death. Advertisements from the period also indicate he was working for S. A. Danner in
1858 as a gunsmith and bell hanger. The swamped octagonal barrel has circular designs on the muzzle face, a German silver blade
front sight followed by wavy line engraving, a dovetailed iron notch rear sight flanked by additional wavy line and cross designs, a drum
bolster, and a hooked breech plug. The lock has some simple scroll and game scene designs. The mounts are primarily German silver aside
from the silver plated and engraved patch box. The lid release button is in the toe plate. The stock has artificial flame figure, a checkered
wrist, and a rectangular cheekpiece with an incised line at the edge. Also see Lot 155 for another H. Gibbs rifle.
CONDITION: Very good. The barrel, lock, and standing breech have a mix of gray and dark brown patina with some oxidation and pitting
concentrated at the breech, a chip on the hammer, a tiny crack at the front lock screw, older replacement bolster and nipple, and tool
marks. Most of the silver plating remains on the patchbox with some of the brass showing, and the German silver components have an
attractively aged patina. The stock is also very good showing some moderate wear, scattered dings and dents, distinct flame pattern
finish with some areas of discoloration,
a small crack on the left at the breech, and crisp
checkering. The action is fine.
Estimate: 2,250 - 4,250