GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
RELIEF CARVED GOLDEN AGE RIFLE BY CHRISTIAN BECK III (THE ELDER).CHRISTIAN BECKKENTUCKYNAOverall length 54". Butt plate is 1-1/2" wide. The 39" full octagon smooth bore barrel is nicely signed, in script, on the top flat. The four-piece patch box has four piercings. The rifle is profusely relief carved on the cheek side of the butt, forward of the patch box and at the barrel tang. There is incised carving at the rear ramrod ferrule. The Ketland & Co. lock appears to be original flint. The rifle has double set triggers and the stock is curly maple. Christian Beck III, nephew of J.P. Beck, apprenticed to John Bonewitz in Womelsdorf, PA. He worked in the Womelsdorf area until about 1808 when he briefly relocated to Adamstown, Lancaster County, where his first son was born. He moved to Roxbury, Lurgan Township, Franklin County PA about 1810. Prior to his move to Franklin County his training with Bonewitz is evident in the characteristic style of his rifles. While in Franklin County he had to transition his rifles from the Womelsdorf School into a style more similar to the Chambersburg School. The transition explains the Chambersburg style side plate on this rifle. The Womelsdorf and Chambersburg styles are merged quite well on this rifle. Christian III moved out of Franklin County into Maryland about 1820. This rifle was probably made circa 1810.(Reference the article "Which Beck is it?" By Van Pitman KRA Volume 391, Number 1). CONDITION: A few insignificant slivers of wood have been restored on the fore stock along the barrel on the right hand side. The flint lock appears to be original flint. This is a nice clean rifle with great relief and incised carving. 53105-6 RGG (13,000-16,000)