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Jacob Rupertus (Read 9510 times)

frnkeore Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 7324 Location: Central Point, OR 97502 Joined: Jun 16^th, 2010	Jacob Rupertus Mar 19^th, 2012 at 3:03pm	Print Post
	My last two gun shows have been very productive and a real learning experience. This time, I came across a Jacob Rupertus single shot rifle. I had never heard of him or his rifles but, he was a very ingenious rifle builder. The pictures were taken on a cell phone so, they're not the best but, I couldn't let this one get away w/o pictures. There are only 5 know rifles of this pattern. The serial numbers of them are in the 2200 range but, I doubt that more than 100 were made. The guy that has two of them, built the second one from the action pictured in the corner of the one picture. His were built in 1880 and are 45/70 with a gain twist! I looked them over pretty well and the machine work is flawless. I don't totally understand the mechanism but, here is what I do know...... When you twist it to the right, it comes unlocked from the cam you see at the top, and moves forward to extract the round (possibly with light spring pressure). The base pin is large (for size) diameter and has a slight taper so, when it comes back to battery, it locks tight. I haven't done any online research on them yet but, will later today. Does anyone here on the forum know anything about this maker and rifle? Frank

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MerwinBray Oldtimer Offline Aw Gees Posts: 938 Location: Kansas City, KS Joined: Apr 17^th, 2004	Re: Jacob Rupertus Reply #1 - Mar 19^th, 2012 at 3:44pm	Print Post
	Kind of like a Tisdel. I had a shooting buddy in VA that had an unmarked gun very similar to that in his hands for a small bit. He had it for inspection and was tinkering with the idea of purchase. It was some kind of .40 cal. He said he wanted to reline the barrel. I am a bit of a purist and did my part to talk him out of doing that. No one at the entire N-SSA that looked at it could ID the thing. I wish I had a pic to compare to what you have. it is strikingly similar. He passed on the gun and never would tell me what the other guy was asking for it. ( I think he was hoping the guy would just put it back in the closet it came from just in case he decided HE wanted to buy it later! ) Jon

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waterman Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2846 Location: Behind the Redwood Curtain Joined: Jun 9^th, 2004	Re: Jacob Rupertus Reply #2 - Mar 19^th, 2012 at 3:58pm	Print Post
	Is that some sort of release or locking lever in front of the trigger guard? (middle photo) Grant's Single Shot Rifles (1st volume) has a photo of a J. Rupertus rifle, Cal. 45-70, Philadelphia, Pa.; patented November 12, 1878. There is some sort of release lever in front of the trigger guard. Photo looks very much like yours. No further mention in any of the Grant volumes. No mention of Rupertus in Sharpe's "The Rifle in America". Also no mention in any of the deHaas volumes in my library.
	« Last Edit: Mar 19^th, 2012 at 4:29pm by waterman »

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frnkeore Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 7324 Location: Central Point, OR 97502 Joined: Jun 16^th, 2010	Re: Jacob Rupertus Reply #3 - Mar 19^th, 2012 at 4:24pm	Print Post
	Jon, The barrels on both of these rifles are marked Rupertus. Waterman, Yes, pulling the lever back, allows the barrel to be rotated. The thing about this rifle that stands out, is the cam lock at the top of the standing breech. It's the strongest of these type rifles that I've seen. Frank Wesson also made a twist open action, at least in a pocket type rifle. I handled a local one less than a year ago. One thing I forgot to mention is that the rifles were made in Philadelphia, PA. Frank

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waterman Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2846 Location: Behind the Redwood Curtain Joined: Jun 9^th, 2004	Re: Jacob Rupertus Reply #4 - Mar 19^th, 2012 at 4:30pm	Print Post
	Frank, please note my edits to my earlier post.


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frnkeore Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 7324 Location: Central Point, OR 97502 Joined: Jun 16^th, 2010	Re: Jacob Rupertus Reply #5 - Mar 19^th, 2012 at 4:41pm	Print Post
	Well, It actually looks like he patented the twist barrel rifle action in 1878. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) Waterman, if you look at this patent, you'll be able to see the locking mechanism. The cam lock isn't shown in the patent so, it came a couple of years later. It (the cam lock) didn't turn up on my patent search though. Frank
	« Last Edit: Mar 19^th, 2012 at 5:03pm by frnkeore »
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frnkeore Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 7324 Location: Central Point, OR 97502 Joined: Jun 16^th, 2010	Re: Jacob Rupertus Reply #6 - Mar 19^th, 2012 at 8:45pm	Print Post
	I spent a few hours today researching what I could on these rifles. I didn't find out very much more but, I did find out that there where also shot guns made with the same design and that one rifle has a # of 23XX, you'll see that in the links I'm adding. Maybe he had foreign contracts at one time? Waterman, thank you for the tip on Grant's book. I did find it. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) Frank

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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 16290 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: Jacob Rupertus Reply #7 - Mar 20^th, 2012 at 1:27pm	Print Post
	Was that show in Eugene? I recognise the gun, and the seller's sign on the table. Surprised Mr Smith didn't give you a lot more info on Rupertis. He's a very saavy old collector! Bought my first Ballard from him, and several more over the years!

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frnkeore Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 7324 Location: Central Point, OR 97502 Joined: Jun 16^th, 2010	Re: Jacob Rupertus Reply #8 - Mar 20^th, 2012 at 1:52pm	Print Post
	Vall, Yes, that was the guy in Eugene. Very nice man too! He talked about the rifle for about 10 min but, it was so crowded there that I was holding things up for him. There were a lot more guys that wanted to talk to him. Frank

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John Boy Ex Member	Re: Jacob Rupertus Reply #9 - Mar 22^nd, 2012 at 2:33pm	Print Post
	Frank, some followup about your Rupertus: Check your PM


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Sal Ex Member	Re: Jacob Rupertus Reply #10 - Sep 16^th, 2013 at 8:12pm	Print Post
	I have a Rupertus rifle, probably 40 caliber. Octagon barrel with an all brass frame. Sadly it is missing the trigger mechanism just forward of the trigger guard that releases the barrel lock up....,


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