Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout us
Log InCreate Account
Rock Island Auction CompanyRock Island Auction Company
Contact us
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
Locations
Bedford, TX
3600 Harwood RoadBedford, Texas 76021, USA
Rock Island, IL
7819 42nd Street WestRock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
Hours
Monday - Friday8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Navigation
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout usAccount
More Info
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyJob postings & CareersOrder a catalogContact
Social media
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
Disconnected
Unable to connect to live update server, attempting reconnection. If this persists, please try refreshing your browser.
Disconnected state indicated by at top of page. If you cannot see this icon, you are connected.
Rock Island Auction Company
Hello.
Please Log In, or .

Home
Auctions
Consignment
Latest
FAQ
About us

  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 1107

Lot 1107:J.P. Beck Flintlock American Long Rifle

September 11th, 2021|Rock Island, IL
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 1107

Lot 1107:J.P. Beck Flintlock American Long Rifle

September 11th, 2021|Rock Island, IL
Estimated Price$35,000 - $55,000
Log In to use Wishlists
Share

J.P. Beck Signed, Engraved, and Raised Relief Carved Smoothbore Flintlock American Long Rifle

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 side plates 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. A Kentucky Rifle Association 2018 President's Display medallion is included.

Rating definitionVery good as restored including reconversion to flintlock configuration. The barrel has a distinct signature, a mix of natural dark aged patina and applied brown finish (the latter in the breech section), several dings and marks, and minor pitting. The lock is mostly a mix of gray and brown patina and has some oxidation. The brass furniture is fairly bright, crisp engraving and some visible texture on the patch box, and some marks and scratches including a series of dings on the trigger guard finial. The stock is also fine and has generally crisp carving, smooth refreshed oil finish, some minor cracks and chips in the forend, a thin hairline tension crack at the rear lock screw, a few scatted small flakes, flash wear at the breech on the right, and minor marks and scratches. Mechanically fine. Overall, this is a very attractive rifle by one of 18th century America's finest gunmakers.
Details
ManufacturerAmerican
ModelFlintlock
TypeRifle
ClassAntique
Barrel43 1/4 inch octagon
Finishbrown
Stockmaple
Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views6402
Catalog page84
Find MoreRelated Items
Lot 189Two Flintlock Long Guns
View Lot
Lot 58Two Flintlock American Long Rifles
View Lot
Lot 318Scarce Heckler & Koch P7 K3 Semi-Automatic Pistol
View Lot
Lot 188Lazarino Marked Flintlock Pistol
View Lot
Show More