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Author Topic: J.P. Beck rifle  (Read 17963 times)

Offline E.vonAschwege

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J.P. Beck rifle
« on: July 21, 2014, 08:41:52 PM »
I finished this J.P. Beck rifle last week and brought it back East with me to deliver to the new owner at Dixon's.  It is based heavily on a Beck rifle that sold at Little Johns auctions over the winter.  HIB also sent me some detail photos of a Beck that were incredibly helpful while putting on the finishing touches.  The rifle is centered around a 50 caliber 47.5" Getz barrel (1" breech), slightly altered small Siler lock, and stocked with a piece of dense 40 year old sugar maple the client supplied.  I tried to make this as authentic to Beck's hand as possible, and the rifle includes many small details specific to Beck's work (three rivets on the muzzlecap, 2 pins only on the forward thimble, etc).  The stock was scraped and burnished, then finished with aquafortis and an oil varnish.  I gave the wood a slight patina by using similar techniques to what Acer used on his latest rifle, mainly a lot of burnishing and playing with different dyes/pigments/black soot.  I'm looking forward to playing with those more on the next guns.  Larger photos on my website:  http://www.neahkahnieflintlocks.com/jp-beck.html

Questions, Constructive critique and suggestions, etc. are welcome - I already know I need a slightly brighter or more contrasting background for photography purposes ;).  Thanks!  
-Eric

































« Last Edit: July 22, 2014, 01:34:55 AM by EvonAschwege »
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Offline tlallijr

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #1 on: July 21, 2014, 08:51:24 PM »
 A work of art for sure......Beautiful !
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Stuartg

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #2 on: July 21, 2014, 09:43:56 PM »
Wow, very beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
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Offline Acer Saccharum

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2014, 09:51:15 PM »
Eric, you've struck a great balance between art and 'workman-like'. That is hard to do. You didn't appear to fuss over the details, I see tool marks and ripples in the curl. You're developing a sense of when to stop 'working it', and achieved a nice soft look.

I want to see this in person! See how it feels and handles. I look forward to seeing this at Dixon's.
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Offline Tony N

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2014, 10:07:48 PM »
Beautiful work!!  I love color and metal finish!!

~Tony
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Offline Jim Kibler

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2014, 10:36:53 PM »
Super nice work, Eric.  It has a believable feel, with lots of interest and warmth.  I like it.

Jim
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Offline smart dog

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2014, 10:44:47 PM »
Well done Eric!  It has a nice soft, slightly worn feel.  I like the "workman like" quality as well. 

dave
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Offline Curtis

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2014, 11:18:34 PM »
Eric, I think this may be the same thing some others were saying, but in my humble opinion you have captured the look that a hand crafted gun should have.  That is to say showing a mastery of the architecture, carving and metal work without making it look machine made.  I guess "warm and inviting" would also describe it.

I for one would like to hear a little more detail about "playing with different dyes/pigments/wood ash".  You have my curiosity up!

Great work, two thumbs up.

Curtis
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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

Offline J. Talbert

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #8 on: July 22, 2014, 12:32:50 AM »
Eric,
As others have said, very comfortable , believable feel, also it shows a good eye for attention to detail.
Overall a very well done, desirable piece.

Jeff
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kaintuck

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #9 on: July 22, 2014, 12:36:53 AM »
nice ageing on both wood and metal~ i am En-vious!!!!

i am trying different applications of materials also...I too would be interested in your techniques`
care to share?
marc
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Offline Algae

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #10 on: July 22, 2014, 12:45:21 AM »
Wonderful rifle, Eric! Your 'playing with differant dyes/pigments' etc.
would be of great interest. Maybe bend your ear at Dixon's?
Thanks for sharing,
Al J.
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Offline wattlebuster

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #11 on: July 22, 2014, 12:50:45 AM »
All I can say is You nailed it :o
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Offline B Shipman

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #12 on: July 22, 2014, 02:21:30 AM »
Right on! Love the color and modest aging.
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Offline Ed Wenger

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #13 on: July 22, 2014, 02:45:26 AM »
Hey Eric, very nice rifle!  I think you captured the "Beck style" very well, thanks for posting!


      Ed
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Offline Karl Kunkel

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #14 on: July 22, 2014, 03:17:22 AM »
Beck's are my favorite, you stole my heart.  The rifle has soul.
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Offline bama

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #15 on: July 22, 2014, 03:22:05 AM »
Very nicely done, thanks for sharing.
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Offline James Rogers

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #16 on: July 22, 2014, 03:31:41 AM »
Very Beck, still you, believably period, the overall feel turns my crank!
Well done!
James
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Offline Shreckmeister

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #17 on: July 22, 2014, 04:51:59 AM »
Looks like a rifle you just want to get your hands on and feel.  Super nice.
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Offline Tim Crosby

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #18 on: July 22, 2014, 02:52:50 PM »
 Wow!

   Tim C.
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Offline C Wallingford

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #19 on: July 22, 2014, 03:15:55 PM »
Very Nice, Eric.
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fastfrankie

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #20 on: July 22, 2014, 03:22:10 PM »

    EXCEPTIONAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Offline Long John

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #21 on: July 22, 2014, 04:14:50 PM »
Eric,

I love it!  It just screams that it BELONGS in the hand of a hunter, in the woods.  It is very hard to build a rifle with a soul.  It takes a very special passion.  This rifle has SOUL!

JMC
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Offline Dr. Tim-Boone

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #22 on: July 22, 2014, 05:09:21 PM »
Come-on! Eric, whose antique collection did you take it out of to photograph??  ;D ;D
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Offline axelp

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #23 on: July 22, 2014, 05:36:42 PM »
very nice work.
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Offline smallpatch

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Re: J.P. Beck rifle
« Reply #24 on: July 22, 2014, 07:07:57 PM »
Nicely done Mr. VonA!

Have you been studying while away at school, or secretly channeling JP Beck?..
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