Beck Patchboxes

[wvmtnman]

I have a couple questions regarding J.P. Beck patchboxes.  #1  Of the Beck rifles I have seen, he only used two basic designs.  One is the tulip and the other is the four point star design.   Did he use the tulip (whale tail) design early then switch later in life?  Or, were they both used during the same period?
Question #2  How commone were J.P Beck rifles with sliding wood patch boxes?  I have only seen pictures of one.  Were these used only early or throughout his career?
                                                                  Thanks, Brian

[George F.]

I have a print of a Beck rifle. It's not the Whale Tail. I got the print from Dave Keck from Knob Mountain.

[mr. no gold]

Look through the older KRA books and you will see a fair number of Beck guns. The 'Red
Backed Book' published in the 1960s has some, but the greatest number is shown in the book 'Kentucky Rifles and Pistols, 1750-1850' published somewhat later and it has numerous guns by Beck showing wood and brass box rifles.
Hope this helps.
Dick

[B Shipman]

My opinion is that aside from very early guns and prehaps a few very late, there was not much change in Beck's work through the vast majority of his carrer. Width of buttplate, pins or wedges mean nothing.  You can't date most of them. Therefore the style of box probably means very little either. Wood boxes were certainly common given the number surviving. And for all we know, might have been as common later as earlier.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Does anyone have Dave Keck's contact info?

[t.caster]

My research echos what Dick & Bill already wrote.

[Acer Saccharum]

Taylor, it's:
dave-at-knobmountainmuzzleloading.com

Replace the -at- with the little symbol, and you have it.

[Gary Tucker]

While visiting with Stan Hollenbaugh a few weeks ago he showed me pics of a Beck with a daisy finial on it.  He said it was the only known example that he made.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Thanks Tom.  I checked out the archives after I asked the question, but I did not find his e-mail, so thanks again.  I'm going to inquire about his Beck furniture.

T.

[George F.]

Taylor, Dave's Castings are really  top notch. They are very crisp and detailed. you will be very  pleased with them. I had him inlet 7 barrels for me...I'm tired of that tedious job... and purchased 2 sets of beck hardware (side plate,butt plate, trigger guard, and thimbles) I have three more inletting jobs for him, just wished we were closer than 2-1/2 hours. I would like to see him come out with more styles.  As Jerry was stating on another casting question there's a sizable amount of money invested in getting set up for casting.   ...Geo.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Thanks for the encouraging words George.  I contacted Dave and ordered his whole set plus the print.  ...money well spent.  Thanks all for the direction.