Herman Rupp was born in 1756 and died in 1831. Herman worked his entire career as a gunsmith in the Lehigh Valley. Therefore his work is not a combination of different schools as with many of the other builders who moved from region to region throughout their careers. His rifles are true to the region in which he was born.

Herman Rupp rifles share several distinct features. On most of his rifles, the wood on the side flats just barely reach past the lower corner of the octagon, instead of reaching up to the centerline of the barrel as we have been trained is the proper way to build a rifle. Herman Rupp also used a low profile and grooved nosecap with minimal decoration, the classic Lehigh Lady of Liberty inlay ahead of the trigger guard, and his distinctive domed lid patchbox. Many Lehigh rifles have the characteristic wrist which is wider than tall and has the double step.