Tony Knight: Father of In-Line Muzzleloading Passes

Updated on Mar 20, 2013 5:29 PM EDT

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From the late-1980s through the mid-90s, it seems that every hunter who I ran into during muzzleloader deer season toted the same gun: a Knight MK-85. The first mass-produced “in-line, modern muzzleloader,” the Knight Rifle revolutionized the blackpowder hunting game, not to mention most state regulations.

Once the bailiwick of the coon-skin cap wearing crowd, primitive weapons hunts truly became a sport for the masses once in-line guns were produced.

No longer concerned with unreliable powder ignition, hunters by the thousands took up a new/old way to hunt deer and other big game. The gun’s creator, Tony Knight, had ushered in a new era.

It’s with great sadness that we report Tony’s passing at the age of 67. Memorials may be given to the Appanoose County Conservation Foundation, Centreville, Iowa 52544.

Summary

From the late-1980s through the mid-90s, it seems that every hunter who I ran into during muzzleloader deer season toted the same gun: a Knight MK-85. The first mass-produced "in-line, modern muzzleloader," the Knight Rifle revolutionized the blackpowder hunting game, not to mention most state regulations. Once the bailiwick of the coon-skin cap wearing crowd, primitive weapons hunts truly became a sport for the masses once in-line guns were produced.

Gerry Bethge

Deputy Editor

The “Elder Statesman,” of the Outdoor Life staff, Gerry Bethge began his career at the magazine in 1982. He was fortunate to have worked side-by-side with outdoor-media icons such as: Jim Carmichel, Jim Zumbo, Jerry Gibbs, and Charlie Elliot among others. During his career, he has held numerous titles including: executive editor, fishing editor, web editor, and editor-in-chief of brand licensing.