This rifle is number 98 in "Rifles of Colonial America Volume II" by Shumway and is also featured on page 85 of "Kentucky Rifles and Pistols, 1750-1850" by Johnston where it is noted as from the Stephen D. Hench collection. The octagon to round barrel is approximately .57-.58 caliber and has straight rifling. John Philip Beck (1751-1811) was active starting shortly before the American Revolution c. 1772 or 1773 and worked in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, north of Lancaster from 1777 until his death. He is recorded as having manufactured muskets for the Committee of Safety during the American Revolution in addition to his well-known long rifles. His rifles are among the most desirable early American firearms. Shumway notes that this rifle "appears to be one of the earliest, if not the earliest, surviving examples of his work...One of the delights of Beck's work is that it is full of surprises, both big and small. The straight rifling is one of them, and the single-set trigger mechanism that is present here is another. And the decoration of the piece provides surprises too. Looking at the butt from either right or left, one would not anticipate the fleur-de-lis finials on the trigger-guard and butt-plate extension. The design carved behind the cheek-piece is impressive for its good form and its originality. The front sight is a small ridge of silver on top of a heart shaped pad...The four-piece patch box is of unusual design and features a lid with a raised central area, more or less in the form of a sliding wooden lid. The barrel is engraved in script with Beck's known signature, 'J. P. Beck.'" The latter is very faint, but when compared to other Beck rifles is distinct enough for verification. The lid has the initials "P J," and "J-H-B" is carved on the top of the comb. The barrel features the noted blade front sight and also has a notch rear sight. The trigger guard has the noted fleur-de-lis finial and is engraved with a floral bloom on the bow. Coordinating engraving is found on the ornate brass patch box which has pinned side plates, three screws on the finial, and a sliding release by the heel of the lid. The toe plate is engraved with coordinating patterns. The buttplate has a fleur-de-lis style finial and scroll engraving and is secured by two screws. The stock has molding along the forend terminating in incised scrolls, nicely shaped flats, scroll carving at the breech, incised scrolls by the nose of the comb, molding along the bottom of the butt, a silver star secured by five pins on the cheekpiece, and lovely raised relief and incised carved scroll designs on the left side of the butt. A copy of a letter from Stephen Hench to Norm Flayderman is included in which he notes that the rifle was going to be featured in Shumway's book and that others had indicated Joe Kindig Jr. would have interest in the rifle. Also included is a copy of the "Journal of the Lancaster County Historical Society" Vol. 72, No. 1 from 1968 with an article about Beck and his family by Samuel Dyke with another somewhat similar rifle by Beck claimed to have been the earliest known example, a copy of "Antique Collecting" from September 1978 with an article on Kentucky rifles showing this other rifle again, and a copy of N. Flayderman & Co., Inc.'s catalog no. 117 which has this rifle shown inside the early photos and as item 1887A. "Relief Carved Pre-Rev War FL Kentucky Rifle. This superb piece may be classified among the most important & rarest 18th century American arms. Circa 1770-80 by a mkr commonly known as the Rembrandt of Kentucky riflemakers." Another similar early J.P. Beck rifle with somewhat more common features was featured on the cover of "Man at Arms" Volume 29, No. 5 from 2007, featured in the "Roll of Honor" in "Man at Arms" Volume 30, No. 3 from 2008, and discussed in the article "John Philip Beck, American Master Gunsmith" by Mike D'Ambra in "Man at Arms" Vol 36, No. 2 from 2014. Provenance: Steven D. Hench and Norm Flayderman

Good as reconverted to flintlock configuration. The barrel and lock have dark brown patina on the visible surfaces, and the barrel has a textured dark blue on much of the underside. Both have moderate oxidation and pitting, and the barrel has some tool marks towards the breech and a chipped rear sight. While the barrel signature is faded and rubbed, the engraving is mostly distinct. The brass furniture and silver inlay have attractive aged patina. The buttplate heel tang has a small repair, and, as noted by Shumway, "The small engraved toe-plate is a well-done restoration." The stock is also very good with restoration, including multiple repaired cracks and slivers, an attractive mix of dark and rubbed surfaces, general light scratches and dings, some small chips and slivers absent, and worn but visible carving. The lock needs work as it isn't holding half or full-cock. This is a stunning example of one of the early work of one of the most revered early American long rifle makers: J.P. Beck.