Charlie Bean Jr. Rifle

[gibster]

I've been wanting to get my hands on one for a while and I finally had the opportunity.  I talked to a gentleman last week in Indiana that had 3 Charlie Bean Jr. rifles and he said that he would be willing to sell. So we made arrangements to meet this past Monday in Troy Illinois and as they say, the rest is history.  It was about a 5 1/2-hour drive for me each way but was worth it.  This rifle now resides in Arkansas, which is a long way from where it was made, but I think it feels right at home.  The barrel had been cut about 2 - 2 1/2-inches at the muzzle but is still 42 3/4-inches long.  The front barrel pin is almost touching the nose cap. There is no evidence that the breach had been cut as the barrel pins are still in their original place. Unless it was cut and they moved the barrel tennons to keep the holes for the pins the same.  But I have my doubts that that is the case.  The bore measures .321-inches, so would have been a great squirrel rifle in it's day.  The only wood repair that I have found is between the lock and the tang. There's no other repairs that I can find.  The lock will need some work as the hammer is bent and has a crack. The sear and main spring are probably broke as well since the hammer just kind of flops around. The pictures were taken with my cell phone, so aren't the best quality. But I think you will get a good feel for what the rifle looks like. The rifle is not signed and from what I understand, Charlie signed very few of his rifles. But I've been told that he typically stamped stars on the rear sight (which this one has) and also for a muzzle treatment. Since the muzzle had been cut, those are no longer there.  The other 2 rifles that he brought had the stampings as well.  All 3 rifles also had the same configuration inside the patch box as this one does.  Let me know your thoughts. If you want measurement of something, let me know and I'll do my best to get them for you as quickly as possible.

[Avlrc]

Congratulations on a great original rifle .   Love the patina on the metal.  What a cool trigger guard. I bet you will have that one sitting your lap for a good while.

Did you purchase the other two,  if they look like that one u could easily sell them.

Lucky you, 

[jdm]

Well I guess you've lost interest in my last Tenn. now!   Thats a great rifle ! The Bean rifles are such a classic design. What a great family of gunsmiths. You are lucky he decided it was time to part with one. Very happy for you.   Jim

[mr. no gold]

A CLASSIC!!! Thank you for bringing it in. Love it.
Dick

[rsells]

Do you think the nose cap on this rifle was original to the rifle?  If so, could you forward me a photograph of the nose cap to rbpodge@twlakes.net when you get a chance.  I have a similar rifle that is unsigned and had the barrel cut back as well.  It has a poured nose cap on it that I know was not like what was on it before it was cut back.  I copy my rifle now and again, and am planning on building another in a bit, and would like to tie down the nose cap design.  I have been making a cap that has the ramrod grove in the nose cap and it bugs me to not know if it is correct.  Nice rifle.                         
                                                                                             Roger Sells
 

[gibster]

Avlrc - No, I didn't purchase the other two rifles.  He wanted to sell them as a pair as they were almost identical with the exception of barrel length. One had a 48-inch barrel and the other was 46-inches. They were different calibers too.  About the only difference between this on and those two is the triggers. Those had a deeper curve in the set trigger.

Jim - Let me know when you are ready to part with yours and we will have a serious conversation.

Roger - I'll take some pictures this evening and send them to you. Will post here as well.  The nose cap was the same on all three of the rifles that he brought me to look at, so I feel that it is the original one.

[louieparker]

gibster I am glad you got it !  Its a good looking rifle.. LP

[dstock]

Gibster, I too am having trouble determining the proper shape of these nose caps and I am trying to make one now.
When you take some pictures for Roger and if not to much trouble, would you please email or text some to me also.
I would really appreciate it. I will pm information
Thanks and God Bless
Doug B

[J. Talbert]

Wow, what a nice rifle and in such wonderful condition.  Inside that patchbox looks like new.

Congratulations on your acquisition.

Jeff

[Sequatchie Rifle]

Thanks for sharing you rifle. Very nice piece.
Bill

[bama]

Gibby that is a very nice rifle and I am glad you got it.

[MuskratMike]

WOW! A Gillespie and a Bean all posted on the same day. You all are lucky to live in the land where these can still be found.

[wildcatter]

Gibster,

Thanks for sharing, awesome gun and looks to be in great shape, someone took great care of it!

Matt

[AZshot]

Great looking TN rifle. 

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  .... A good one, Eric,... most folks these days seem to want the oldest rifle they can find, but as for me, any East Tennessee rifle is a treasure, and this is a dandy,... !!! .... Thanx for shareing pictures,.... regards,.. Cades Cove Fiddler

[mountainad82]

Great looking Charlie Bean rifle! Thanks for sharing it.