November 3-4, 2017 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
Circa 1810, in completely original and untouched condition, as featured on The Antiques Roadshow. Two-stage smoothbore steel barrel with teardrop-shaped brass front sight and notched rear sight, top flat signed "C * Beck" in script. Flat lockplate is unmarked. Typical plain brass furniture used by Beck, including four-piece "whale's tail" finial patchbox, beveled sideplate, and faceted triggerguard. Vacant silver oval wrist escutcheon retained by three small silver pins. Full length figured maple stock of familiar Lebanon form with slender forend with raised molding along each side. Carved around lock and sideplate with relief panels terminating in a teardrop in the back on both sides. Relief carved around barrel tang with a fluted shield, typical of this maker. Relief designs around comb and on each side of wrist, as well as behind the cheek piece with simple but well-executed C-scrolls. Complete with original wooden ramrod. John Christian Beck is listed as a maker in Lebanon Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Born in 1782 and died in 1861, his work is closely related to that of Nicolas Beyer. For a nearly identical example, see No. 102, page 252 of "Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden Age" by Joe Kindig, Jr. This rifle is in wonderful, as found condition. Barrel and lock retain a dark brown patina with some corrosion near the breech and some scattered marks from use. Lock has appears to have some replaced components, replaced during the period of use and retaining a matching patina. Brass is unpolished and retains s darker mellow patina. Stock is excellent with normal marks from use and a few cracks, including on about toe and one forward of sideplate. Retains most of original finish with carving showing only minor wear. Overall, one of the most original and well preserved examples of a Christian Beck known! This rifle was featured on Season 6 of The Antiques Roadshow in San Diego, California in 2001. It was examined an appraised by Bill Guthman, who noted that it was in original flintlock configuration and had no restoration. The missing spring, shown and mentioned in the clip, was found by the cataloger inside of the patchbox.
Manufacturer
Christian Beck