« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: J.P. Beck  (Read 10482 times)

Offline Lucky R A

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1628
  • In Costume
J.P. Beck
« on: May 25, 2015, 08:14:29 PM »
    A friend encouraged me to post some photos of a J.P. Beck rifle that I recently completed for a client.  The client's wife is a direct descendant of J.P. Beck, and he wanted to honor her ancestry with this build.  I was fortunate to have handled the original.  Also, there is an outstanding group of photos of it published in Dave Hanson's book, "An Intimate Look at the American Longrifle -- Its Art and Evolution."   This build is not a bench copy, but is an effort to capture the original as nearly as possible with a few slight deviations.  You may note that Beck was a bold and competent carver, but he used a much more timid approach to engraving.  I hope you enjoy the effort; comments and questions are always welcome. 
Remember our fallen today.

Ron








Logged
"The highest reward that God gives us for good work is the ability to do better work."  - Elbert Hubbard

Offline PPatch

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2456
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #1 on: May 25, 2015, 08:30:36 PM »
Very well done Ron, a fine rifle. you really went to town with that carving.

dave
Logged
Dave Parks   /   Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

Offline Dr. Tim-Boone

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6538
  • I Like this hat!!
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #2 on: May 25, 2015, 10:10:44 PM »
Ron, I like that rifle a lot! Your great workmanship as usual and the a really wild ride on the carving!! Nicely aged metal.
Logged
De Oppresso Liber
Marietta, GA

Liberty is the only thing you cannot have unless you are willing to give it to others. – William Allen White

Learning is not compulsory...........neither is survival! - W. Edwards Deming

Offline alex e.

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 772
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2015, 11:40:04 PM »
Outstanding!!
Logged
Uva uvam videndo varia fit

Offline Shreckmeister

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3810
  • GGGG Grandpa Schrecengost Gunsmith/Miller
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2015, 11:46:25 PM »
Beautiful rifle Ron. Hope to see you with it at Jefferson show
Logged
Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.

Offline wattlebuster

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2091
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #5 on: May 26, 2015, 12:50:27 AM »
Beautiful work ;D
Logged
Nothing beats the feel of a handmade southern iron mounted flintlock on a cold frosty morning

Online VP

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 330
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #6 on: May 26, 2015, 02:47:02 AM »
Ron,
You most certainly nailed this one. That is a fine looking rifle. I hope Greg appreciates it.

VP
Logged

Offline Tom Currie

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1294
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #7 on: May 26, 2015, 02:37:59 PM »
Beautiful rifle Ron. I think you've represented Beck's style vey well. Great point on the bold carving and yet delicate engraving.
Logged

Tink

  • Guest
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #8 on: May 27, 2015, 02:46:23 AM »
Very very nice Ron !!
Logged

Offline old george

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 713
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #9 on: May 27, 2015, 03:49:31 AM »
WOW!!!!

Geo.
Logged
I cannot go to Hades: Satan has a restraining order against me. :)

blackjack

  • Guest
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #10 on: May 27, 2015, 03:56:17 AM »
Absolutely stunning,... carving and engraving both!
Logged

Offline horseman

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 135
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #11 on: May 27, 2015, 05:28:47 AM »
Ron, that is an OUTSTANDING work of art!  The carving is beautiful!
Logged

Offline t.caster

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3736
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #12 on: May 27, 2015, 06:42:13 PM »
Ron, I've built a few Beck's and studied his style enough to say you did a most excellent job on that piece!
Logged
Tom C.

Online bama

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2178
    • Calvary Longrifles
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #13 on: May 27, 2015, 06:57:05 PM »
Great rifle Ron. I look forward to seeing you at the KRA show.
Logged
Jim Parker

"An Honest Man is worth his weight in Gold"

Offline KLMoors

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 862
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #14 on: May 28, 2015, 02:49:26 AM »
Good stuff Ron!  And, the good Dr. is right. Wild ride on that carving!!
Logged

Offline J. Talbert

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2309
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #15 on: May 28, 2015, 03:59:43 AM »
Ron, nice job!

Question concerning the patch box hinge.  How did you get the extra little ledge on either side of the hinge?
I'm about to start an Eister inspired gun and he did a similar looking effect on his patch boxes.  My current plan is to simply file a little raised ledge there on the outside.  Is that what you did?

Thanks,
Jeff
Logged
There are no solutions.  There are only trade-offs.”
Thomas Sowell

Offline Lucky R A

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1628
  • In Costume
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #16 on: May 28, 2015, 04:32:47 AM »
     There was once a long discussion of how J.P. Beck made his hinges and achieved the distinctive look.  From what I have been able to determine, I believe that he made the hinge a distinctive separate element from the lid and the front of the box.  The hinge is made by looping over a thin .032 brass for each side of the hinge.  The knuckles are then cut and fit.  The door and front of the box are then inserted/sandwiched between the hinge ends and are soldered into place.  This allows the door and front of the patchbox to be made of more substantial material.  On the top the hinge edge is trimmed back almost to the knuckles.  I then file it up a little and this is how I do it, right or wrong. 
       I would like to thank you all for the nice comments.  The original is a spectacular gun, that I am sure J.P. built for someone who wanted an over the top gun.  There are several other Beck guns out there that show many of these same features.  I was always surprised that the gun he allegedly built for  President Washington was a rater mid level wooden box gun...
        Van, Greg is quite pleased with the gun, he is already planning another...
         Jim, I am sure looking forward to the KRA show, and will be anxious to see what you bring this year.   

Best wishes to all
Ron
Logged
"The highest reward that God gives us for good work is the ability to do better work."  - Elbert Hubbard

Offline Curtis

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2346
  • Missouri
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #17 on: May 28, 2015, 04:52:50 AM »
You captured the spirit well, Ron.  A great looking rifle!

Curtis
Logged
Curtis Allinson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sometimes, late at night when I am alone in the inner sanctum of my workshop and no one else can see, I sand things using only my fingers for backing

Online bama

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2178
    • Calvary Longrifles
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #18 on: May 28, 2015, 04:44:14 PM »
Yes i am looking forward to it Ron. Ron i had an opportunity to see an oringinal Beck and it appeared to me that the hinge was made in reverse of the way it is traditionally made. By this i mean the return is folded over to the top of the door and the finial, then filed to shape and soldered. I have not tried this yet but it is on my to try list. Not saying this is how it was done but a possibility.
Logged
Jim Parker

"An Honest Man is worth his weight in Gold"

Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

  • Member 3
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 12679
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #19 on: May 28, 2015, 08:00:55 PM »
Nice rifle Ron...I always enjoy seeing your work.
Logged
D. Taylor Sapergia
www.sapergia.blogspot.com

Art is not an object.  It is the excitement inspired by the object.

Offline Pete G.

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2013
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #20 on: May 28, 2015, 08:13:32 PM »
Quote from: Lucky R A on May 28, 2015, 04:32:47 AM
            I was always surprised that the gun he allegedly built for  President Washington was a rather mid level wooden box gun...
       

That would mesh perfectly with Washington's personality. He was not an ostentatious man and seemed to avoid trying to attract attention to himself, always put the country's interest ahead of his own. We could surely use another like him in today's climate
Logged

Offline Dr. Tim-Boone

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6538
  • I Like this hat!!
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #21 on: May 29, 2015, 12:11:02 AM »
Ron tell us about the finish. its a beautiful golden brown on my computer!   ;D ;D
Logged
De Oppresso Liber
Marietta, GA

Liberty is the only thing you cannot have unless you are willing to give it to others. – William Allen White

Learning is not compulsory...........neither is survival! - W. Edwards Deming

Gulfman

  • Guest
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #22 on: May 29, 2015, 03:21:10 PM »
I want to thank Ron for building this gun for me.  It is a beautiful rendition of the original J.P. Beck.  The photos are great but holding this gun really show the workmanship that Ron put it into it.  Thanks.
Logged

Offline Dphariss

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9928
  • Kill a Commie for your Mommy
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #23 on: May 29, 2015, 03:32:19 PM »
Wonderful piece of work. You did a great job of capturing the spirit of a JP Beck.

Dan
Logged
He who dares not offend cannot be honest. Thomas Paine

Offline flinter49

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 196
Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #24 on: May 29, 2015, 04:53:38 PM »
Great looking rifle. God has blessed you with many talents.
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »