Hands on with a J.P. Beck Signed Smoothbore Flintlock American Long Rifle | Art in Firearms History

John Philip Beck (c. 1751-1811) was active in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and is known to have manufactured a wide variety of firearms, including muskets for the Committee of Safety during the American Revolution in addition to his well-known long rifles.

The Kentucky Rifle Foundation calls him "one of the superior builders of Pennsylvania long rifles" and notes, "He was instrumental in establishing the regional style, and his rifles are often embellished with bold rococo scrollwork and beautiful engraving."

This rifle is probably relatively early work by Beck and features a beautifully engraved patch box with the "whale tail" finial seen on some other Beck rifles as well as elaborate incised and raised relief carving on the stock.

The barrel is smoothbore and may have been originally rifled or be original as a "smooth rifle." Several of the known Beck "rifles" are smoothbores of similar caliber. The barrel has traditional blade and notch sights and is signed "Jx Px Beck" in script. The surname resembles "Beuck," but this is consistent with other Beck signed guns. The lock is unmarked.

The furniture is all brass. As noted, the patch box has attractive engraving. The lid has an intricate floral pattern, and the sideplates and finial have scroll patterns. The sideplate is not engraved.

The stock has molding along the ramrod channel terminating in incised scrolls and a floral scroll pattern at the entry pipe. The bottom of the stock ahead of the trigger guard also has an incised floral scroll pattern. The flats have the large tear drops typical of Beck's work, and there is a raised relief and incised scroll pattern carved at the barrel tang. The bottom of the butt has molding, and the wrist and butt have a mix of incised and raised relief carved scroll patterns, including classic "C scroll" patterns on the left side behind the cheek rest.