January 16, 2020 The Susquehanna Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/16/2020
This rifle is featured on page 44 of "The Pennsylvania-Kentucky Rifle, a Lancaster Legend" by Donald Heckert, J. Wayne and Vaughn. At the time, it was in the Donald Vaughn Collection. J.P. Beck was a prolific maker born in 1751, who worked in Lebanon Township, Lancaster County until his death in 1811. The rifle has a full-length octagon barrel with sights mounted on top and partially visible signature towards the breech. The flat lockplate is stamped "UNITED / STATES" at the tail with traces of what were probably "Ketland" markings in the center. The rifle has a buttplate measuring 2", dating it between 1775 and 1785. The brass four-piece patchbox was added during the period, when the original sliding wooden patchbox was probably broken or lost. The patchbox is engraved with Pennsylvania German tulips, flowers, and scrolls. A toeplate with patchbox release was also added at this time, perhaps by Beck. Classic early brass Beck sideplate and triggerguard. Full-length partially figured maple stock of classic early Lebanon form with high-relief cheekpiece. Relief panels around lock and sideplate terminate with a teardrop in the back. Carved with Beck's classic relief scrolls around barrel tang and on both sides of the cheekpiece. There are also relief moldings along both sides of the forend. Later wooden ramrod. CONDITION: Barrel retains a brown patina, tang screw a replacement. Lock is possibly a second lock and has been reconverted to flintlock configuration, retains applied blued/brown finish. Brass retains a pleasing unpolished dark mustard patina and shows some wear and minor marks. Stock very good with no restoration. Some minor wear to carving, scattered age cracks and marks from use. One area of minor loss above front of lockplate and a few thin slivers missing along forend. Retains much original finish in protected areas. A very early and attractive signed relief-carved Beck rifle.
Caliber/Bore
.57 Smoothbore
Model
Flintlock Kentucky Rifle