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Author Topic: J.P. Beck  (Read 10484 times)

Offline Lucky R A

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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








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Offline PPatch

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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
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Offline Dr. Tim-Boone

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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.
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Offline alex e.

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Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2015, 11:40:04 PM »
Outstanding!!
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Offline Shreckmeister

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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
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Offline wattlebuster

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Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #5 on: May 26, 2015, 12:50:27 AM »
Beautiful work ;D
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Offline VP

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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
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Offline Tom Currie

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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.
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Tink

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

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Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #9 on: May 27, 2015, 03:49:31 AM »
WOW!!!!

Geo.
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blackjack

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

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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!
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Offline t.caster

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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!
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Offline bama

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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.
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Offline KLMoors

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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!!
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Offline J. Talbert

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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
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Offline Lucky R A

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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
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Offline Curtis

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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
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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 bama

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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.
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Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

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Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #19 on: May 28, 2015, 08:00:55 PM »
Nice rifle Ron...I always enjoy seeing your work.
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Offline Pete G.

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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
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Offline Dr. Tim-Boone

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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
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Gulfman

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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.
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Offline Dphariss

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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
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Online flinter49

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Re: J.P. Beck
« Reply #24 on: May 29, 2015, 04:53:38 PM »
Great looking rifle. God has blessed you with many talents.
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