Lot 1171

Early J. P. Beck Smoothbore Flintlock American Long Rifle

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Early J. P. Beck Smoothbore Flintlock American Long Rifle

Estimate: $9,500 - $14,000

Starting Bid: $8,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Well-Documented Early Pre-Revolutionary War Attributed J. P. Beck Signed Smoothbore Flintlock American Long Rifle with Raised Relief Carving The Kentucky Rifle Foundation states: "John P. Beck (1751-1811) was one of the superior builders of Pennsylvania longrifles. He was taxed in Lebanon, PA from 1772 until the time of his death. He built fine longrifles as well as Committee of Safety arms for the war effort. He was instrumental in establishing the regional style, and his rifles are often embellished with bold rococo scrollwork and beautiful engraving. Occasionally the underside of a Beck barrel will carry the inscription 'INRI' or 'DEO.' Due to stylistic and architectural congruence, it is believed that Beck was the master of Nicholas Beyer, another master builder from the Dauphin/Lebanon region. Note: Until 1785, this region was part of Lancaster County. In this year it became part of Dauphin County and in 1813 the area became part of Lebanon County. Essentially, when Beck was a gunsmith he was paying taxes to Dauphin County." Henry Bishop estimated this early J. P. Beck "smooth rifle" was manufactured c. 1770 a few years prior to the American Revolution. It features a distinct "J+ P+ Beck" signature on the top of the octagonal breech section of the barrel behind the notch rear sight, a fixed brass blade front sight, brass mounts, wood patchbox lid with a central groove, nicely shaped drop flats, fine molding, and raised relief shell carving at the barrel tang and front and rear of the cheekpiece. It was featured on the cover of the Summer 2015 issue of "American Tradition: The Journal of the Contemporary Longrifle Association" and is featured within in Joshua Shepherd's article "The Most Hardy Warlike People: Riflemen of the American Revolution." Bishop noted he first saw this smooth rifle in 1968 at The Eagle American Shop & Gun Museum in Strasburg, Pennsylvania, run by Vince Nolt who had purchased it after seeing some boys playing with it alongside the road. When the museum closed, the gun was sold to Robert Kearly at auction. Bishop purchased the rifle at auction after Kearly passed.

Manufacturer: American

Model: Flintlock

BBL: 48 inch part octagon

Stock: maple

Gauge: .52

Finish: brown/brass

Serial NumberNSN

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: Vincent W. Nolt's Eagle American Shop & Gun Museum; The Robert Kearly Collection; The Henry Bishop Collection
  • Condition: Fine overall as reconverted using a replacement original flintlock by Brian LaMaster, attractive dark brown patina and "antiqued" finish, moderate flash pitting at the breech, distinct signature, attractively aged patina on the brass mounts, minor chips and cracks in the stock (some stabilized), faint splices on the flats, and general mild wear. Mechanically functions. Overall, this is a very attractive and early smooth rifle from one of the most iconic early American gunmakers: J. P. Beck.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000