Hoppe’s Celebrates 120 Years

by
posted on June 13, 2023
Hoppe

Hoppe’s, the industry’s oldest gun-cleaning-supply brand—and still one of the top choices among enthusiasts—is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year. It was 1903 when Philadelphia native Frank August Hoppe combined nine chemicals in just the right mix to create the famous Hoppe’s No. 9 gun cleaning solution. His invention was far from an accident.

He was an officer in the Pennsylvania National Guard, competitive shooter and all too familiar with the tedious chore of gun cleaning. There were no easy solutions at the time, and with his two decades of paint industry knowledge, he developed a concoction that reduced the time his troops spent pushing brushes, rods and mops through their rifles.

Hoppe's No. 9 solvent gun cleaning bottles two bottles upright yellow orange label

His timing was perfect, too, because the U.S. Army was fielding the first Springfield M1903s. Those early models were chambered in .30-’03, which used an early smokeless powder mix more corrosive than expected. The .30-’06 Sprg, (introduced in 1906) was light-years ahead in minimizing bore and barrel erosion without tedious maintenance, but during that three-year period, the Hoppe’s solution gained momentum.

It also removed metal and lead fouling and protected the bore. That made it ideal for newer, cleaner-burning propellants. In 1907, Hoppe finally trademarked his “Nitro Power Solvent No. 9,” better known today as simply Hoppe’s No. 9.

Since then, the brand has grown and expanded from gun-cleaning solvents to oils, tools and other supplies. Some of Hoppe’s most popular products today include the quick-and-easy BoreSnake, GunMedic and a variety of all-in-one cleaning kits.

“Hoppe’s has been at the forefront of gun care for a long time, and everyone on the team is proud to continue this legacy that began 120 years ago,” said Laurie Kokoruda, Hoppe’s senior product manager. “We strive to honor our history with tried-and-true solutions like Hoppe’s No. 9, while also pushing ahead to develop new products that make gun care faster, easier and more effective.”

Latest

Nraam 2025
Nraam 2025

See New Guns & Gear At The NRA's Annual Meetings In Georgia

Freedom-loving American patriots gather every spring at the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits to celebrate their liberty and check out the newest crop of guns, optics, ammunition and accessories. This year, 2025, the fun will take place in Atlanta, Ga.—we hope to see you there!

Rifleman Q&A: A Hornet In Father’s Attic

From the pages of the April 2025 American Rifleman, learn about a Savage rifle in .22 Hornet that was found in an attic. 

Spring Into Savings With Federal & Remington Ammo

Two of the industry’s finest began offering ammunition rebates on April 1 and the special savings continue through June 30.

The Revolutionary Art Of Don Troiani

By using surviving artifacts, eyewitness testimony, accurately reproduced uniforms, original firearms and the thorough study of battle sites, Don Troiani has done more than imagine what happened 250 years ago. His art is as close as it can get to a true representation of what period combat would have looked like.

The Armed Citizen® April 21, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Captain John Parker's Fowler: Witness To History

While thousands of firearms were used in and around the Massachusetts towns of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, few survive today. One survivor is the flintlock fowler used by Capt. John Parker of the Lexington militia.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.