Doc Hopskins Rifles

Does any one know about Doc Hopskins rifles? I'm going to look at one in the near future but don't know anything about the builder.

Used to run ads in Muzzle Blasts late seventies - early eighties. He had a shop in Pigeon Forge before the town became a complete tourist trap. The last I knew of him he was in Florida.

Thanks Randy. You are the only one that could tell me anything about him. Do you know anything about his rifles?

D.R. Hopkins {"Doc" because of his initials} was an advertising director for a Florida newspaper and built LRs.

He formed a corporation in Tennessee which was invoked by the IRS because it's status lapsed. Don't know if he hired people to build his LRs or if he did indeed build all the LRs.

He was fairly young when he built LRs {37}.

Heard of him and his LRs many years ago, but never saw any.

If you buy one of his LRs, please post some pics...would be interested in viewing his work....Fred

Fred, Found an article on DOC HOPKINS RIFLES and it looks like he went out of business in 1984. I'm going to send a letter to the address and the agent in charge at that time. Hope I get some kind of answer. Will post pictures probably tomorrow or the next. Thanks for the info.

BACK IN THE EARLY 1980s I saw his ad and ordered components to build myself a 32 caliber half stock percussion rifle. He sent me everything that I needed which included a pre-carved curly maple half stock blank, a 3/4" X 35" barrel. I already had a Lock, but plate and trigger guard for it. It was a tack driver. I have since converted it to flint ignition. It has put many squirrels in my freezer and is an absolute pleasure to carry and shot. I visited his shop many times until he closed his shop. He told me that due to the exploding commercialization of Pigeon Forge the rent had become too high. Too bad! He was a nice fellow and had a nice little shop. He was located almost directly across from the Old Mill Restaurent.

I have 3 Doc Hopkins rifles. He was a friend of mine when I lived in St Petersburg Fl in the 70s I had big plans to build the rifles myself but didn't have the time and had him build them for me. one is a 32 flintlock that he built for my wife haha with an H&H barrel. one is a 54 percussion with a Bill Large barrel that has taken a few deer and is a tack driver and the last is an absolutely beautiful 45 getz swamped barrel flint with many inlays and even curl from stem to stern. It took him about 5 years to finish all 3 but he had agreed to build all 3 for I think about $1500 with my parts. I don't think you could go wrong with any of his guns.

My dad was Doc Hopkins and he built every gun himself. He took great pride in his work and craftsman ship. He passed away last week Thursday from a rare form of aggressive cancer.

Mommakendall, so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. I'm sure he will be missed by those who knew him and especially his family. It is tough to lose your parents. You have my thoughts and prayers.