Attached is Provenance E-mail received from Homer Dangler himself in response to my inquiry as to the J.P. Beck Rifle which is withdrawn from consignment sale with Track of the Wolf.
James, the description sounds like one of my rifles in the white.
To do one with a 36" barrel I just cut the front off a 42" swaped barrel which left a little swamp.
I have a star punch I have used for may years punching 8 stars on the muzzle.
I sign the unfinished ( in the white) guns with my initials H+L+D in script letters and those I completed I sign H+L+Dangler in script.
I also do a wavy line with small cuts before and after my signature.
I am still building and I do it mostly in my winter home at Pine Island Fl just west of Ft. Dyers.
I suggest using 50 grains of FFFG black powder at 25 and 50 yards and 75 grains at 100 yards or for deer hunting and I asure you it will shoot better than you can hold.
The gun will last your lifetime trouble free.
Enjoy the rifle,
Homer
----Original Message-----
From: K-------- James <s------------@aol.com>
To: h----------@aol.com
Sent: Tue, Feb 25, 2014 2:19 am
Subject: Homer Dangler Contact: Rifle identification "In the White built"
To: Webmaster
From:
K---------- James
s-------------@aol.com
Message:
J.P. Beck longrifle, .50 Tapered octagon 36" barrel*, Siler
flint, curly maple, brass, SST, by Homer Dangler.
with Walter Cain single set trigger. *Barrel is tapered 1" at breech
to 3/4" at muzzle the crown of which has circle of stars on it. Bought
and finished by :
J---------- FL, 34667
I purchased this rifle from him gently used i--------------------g. Could you please verify that you assembled this
rifle in the white and provide provenance for same.
I can provide photos of the rifle if needed. But I was told you
normally use swamped blls. and the crown decoration is distinctive.
This has the nice flat butt plate as well no patch box. Thank you for
your consideration. Keep crafting these fine examples of American
History. Yr. Most Obt. Svt. Sgt. K-------------. James.
Sent from (ip address): 67.174.113.41
This is and additional quote from Homer's web site re: American Longrifles Plain Vs. Fancy
"I feel the Kentucky rifle is a beautiful work of folk art, not to be compared to the fine European guns made for royalty, which were re-pleat with silver wire and precious stones.
I strongly hope that in the years to come the contemporary builders of the Kentucky rifle keep it true to form and not co-mingle too much with the ornate English designs. Very few Kentucky rifles had silver wire, and most had none."
This rifle is very plain, it is also very functional, and a worthy example of Homer Danglers handiwork. Upon reading the above comments of detraction I withdrew this rifle from consignment sales.
