For Sale

J.P. Beck

Whale Tail J.P. Beck Rifle

This rifle can be best described as a documentary copy of the original.  Fortunately, I had access to the original prior to and during the building process to assure that all details are correct.

The gun starts with a 47 ¼” octagon to round barrel custom built by Ed Rayl to the dimensions of the original barrel.  This barrel, however, is 45 caliber rifled, the original being about 50 caliber smoothbore.  The lock started as a Jim Chambers small Siler.  It was extensively modified to reflect the look of the original lock, including conversion to a bridleless frizzen.  The simple single trigger is square across the bottom, as was the original.  The patchbox was hand built using the same hinge arrangement as the original.  The opening mechanism, again, is exactly as on the original Back rifle.  The engraving of the patchbox is a duplicate of Beck’s engraving.  The hardware was cast by Reaves Goehring who used original Beck parts for the molds.  The ram rod pipes are handmade to copy the originals.  All of Beck’s original file work was used.  The stock is a modestly curled piece of maple, as was used on the original.  The carving of the stock is patterned from the original.  The finish is of the same hue as the original down to areas of shading including vestiges of an earlier varnish finish.

This rifle duplicates the look and feel of the original and can be taken hunting or to the range.  This long barreled rifle weighs in at a mere 7 ½ lbs.  The price is $3,800 plus postage.

Nicholas Beyer Folk Art Rifle

    This rifle is a copy of what is perhaps Nicholas Beyer's finest work.  After apprenticing and probably working with J. P. Beck, Beyer came into his own.  He developed a style using  fanciful birds and a Dutchified rococo style of carving.

     This rifle is stocked with a beautiful closely grained piece of curly maple stained a colonial red brown.  A 44" 50 cal. Colerain barrel is fired by a large Siler lock built by Jim Chambers.  The barrel is fitted with a White Lightening vent and is given an aged appearance as is the brass and mountings.   

     This unique rifle is immediately available for $2,900.00 plus shipping and handling

Colonial Fowler

        Colonial period fowler, with strong English influence.  This fowler is built using a Colerain 44" octagon to round 20 ga. barrel that is acid patterned to look like a Damascus barrel.  The American Walnut stock has some nice figure in the butt, and a nice tang carving to the rear of the tang.  The gun is fitted with brass hardware that is nicely engraved.  The Jim Chambers round face lock is activated by a single trigger.  This gun can be used with shot or ball.  A great fowler for the re-enactor or the hunter/shooter.

Baroque Gun

This rifle, which I have named the “Baroque Rifle,” is a fantasy gun.  It is my idea of what an European trained gunsmith might have produced after arriving in this country and after having been exposed to the long rifles being produced by colonial gunsmiths. 

        The gun is profusely carved with Baroque details in high relief.  The butt stock shows strong “Jaeger” influence, and then the gun transitions into the longer barrel as was used in Colonial America.  The cheek piece inlay is of ebony and ivory (old piano keys.)  The wooden butt trap is ornately carved, and the rose carved in the center of the decoration is the release mechanism.  The 54 cal. barrel is 40” long, is slightly swamped, and it is engraved at the breech & muzzle.  The Golden age Jim Chambers lock is also engraved.  The double set triggers are by R.E. Davis, and the hardware was cast by the Mold & Gun Shop. 

        This is a truly unique and ornate rifle that could well have come from the earliest time of our country’s development. 

Price is $4,500 plus shipping

British Style Fowler

This is the type of fowler that was built along the east coast from New York to Philadelphia, during the colonial period.   Many fowlers of this type were modified to accept a bayonet and went to the field with colonial forces.  This gun features a Colerain 44” 20 ga. (.620) smoothbore  barrel, a Jim Chambers round face English lock, and the appropriate single trigger.    The Walnut stock is carved in a “Fern” pattern behind the trigger guard and to the rear of the entry pipe.  A  tasteful shell carving is present behind the tang leading to a nicely engraved thumbpiece.   The trigger guard. side plate  and the butt plate are nicely engraved and antiqued.  The Walnut stock is stained with a nice reddish undertone and appropriately antiqued to reflect some well cared for age.  

Price is $1,650 plus shipping.

David Morton Rifle

Early Western Pennsylvania Rifle, the original attributed to David Morton

This rifle is patterned after one of the finest known early Pennsylvania rifles.  The cheekpiece carving of this rifle is exactly duplicated in Morton’s more famous later work.  Built to reflect the look of a fine original, the finish is purposely age-crinkled at strategic areas.  The metal reflects aging, as well.  This rifle looks like it has a history to tell.

The rifle sports a 44” 58 caliber Colerain barrel and a cosmetically modified Davis early Germanic lock activated by a simple single trigger.  It weighs in at a tad over 8 ¾ pounds.

The look and feel of history in a fine hunting weapon is available at $2,300 plus postage.

-SOLD- Pannabecker Rifle -SOLD-

            This modestly priced rifle is styled after an original Pannabecker which I have handled.  The original is remarkably similar to the one shown on page 188 of Kindig’s book, Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden Age.  Pannabecker is listed as a Lancaster maker, but his work reflects more of the Reading influence.  Note the Bonewitz wiggle line under the cheekpiece and the one piece nosecap.

            This rifle was built around a 50 caliber 7/8 in. straight Green Mountain barrel.  The lock is a much modified Jim Chambers large Siler.  Keeping the shooter in mind, the gun was fitted with a set of David double set triggers.  The patchbox is entirely handmade and includes the flat style hinge favored by Pannabecker.  The curly maple stock has a lightly antiqued look, and the metal is brown.  The rifle weighs 8 pounds. 

-SOLD- Klette Rifle -SOLD-

The cosmetics of this rifle are patterned after the famous Klette rifle of Sevensburg, VA shown in Rifles of Colonial America, p. 534, #123.

The rifle was originally built for a client who stepped away from the project.  The gun was ordered with the 62 caliber barrel, Virginia lock, and double set triggers, which differ from the original.  Thus, it is offered at an exceptional value.

The rifle has a 62 caliber, 42” long Colerain barrel, a Jim Chambers Virginia lock which is activated by Davis double-set triggers.  The stock is a nice piece of closely-striped curly maple which has been done in an antique finish to reflect the look of a fine original.  All carving of the original Klette is exactly duplicated.  The metal is richly browned.  The brass hardware is engraved as on the original and lightly antiqued.

This large caliber gun weighs in at a modest 8 ¾ pounds and is a joy to handle and shoot. 

-SOLD- Lehigh County, Shimmel (barn gun) -SOLD-

Guns of this type were often built by master gunmakers of the Golden Age to provide a good shooting weapon at a very modest price.   Following in that tradition, this gun is built with the architecture of a Lehigh Valley gun, a good quality 7/8” straight 50 Cal. Green Mountain barrel 42” long, A Jim chambers Large Siler lock and Davis double set triggers.   There is no butt plate, side plate or entry pipe.   The rifle is elegant in its simplicity and architecture.  The only embellishment is a small carving of the Lehigh Valley “Indian Princess” at the front of the trigger guard.  A great shooter and a joy to carry in the field.

-SOLD- Virginia Rifle -SOLD-

This neat little rifle carries a flavor of Ole Virginia.  The sheetz style patchbox sets the tone  and the architecture follow suit.   The rifle has a 38” Green Mountain swamped 50 cal. barrel,  a Jim Chambers Large Siler lock and Davis double set triggers.   The rifle is fitted with the appropriate brass hardware that is suitably antiqued.  The curly maple stock is raised carved, stained a Honey Maple color and artfully antiqued.   This is a wonderfully slim good handling little gun 

-SOLD- Allenmengle Rifle -SOLD-

This rifle is an example of an original rifle made in the Allenmengle region (northwestern Lehigh northeastern Berks Counties, PA).   The rifle is pictured with the original from which it was copied.  The original was built early in the percussion period, and could just as well have been built as a flintlock, as I chose to do.   This rifle has a 44” B weight 50 cal. Colerain barrel, a cosmetically altered Chambers Late Ketland lock activated by a single trigger.   The patchbox and cheekpiece design and engraving  reflect the Pennsylvania Dutch heritage of this rifle.  The curly maple stock is stained to reflect the aging of the original .    This wonderfully slim rifle will look as good on the wall as will perform in the field.

-SOLD- Schuler, Copy of Original -SOLD-

-SOLD- Southern Mountain Rifle -SOLD-

This gun was built in the general style of those produced in the southern mountains.  The iron hardware is rust browned as is the 42 inch long Green Mountain 7/8 inch straight 50 cal. Barrel.  The barrel has a long tang ending in a “lollypop.”  This theme is also reflected in the termination of the entry pipe.  The butt stock has a “grease hole” for those who desire to fill it with their favorite solid type patch lubricant.  The lock is a Chambers late Ketland with the plate cosmetically modified.  The double set triggers are by R.E. Davis. 

        This rifle is an excellent value for someone looking for a “no frills” field rifle.  At 7¼ pounds, the gun is a joy to carry as well as to shoot. 

-SOLD- Melchoir Fordney rifle -SOLD-

     This rifle is a very close copy of the Melchoir Fordney rifle shown on page 41 of Kindig’s book, Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden Age.  I examined the original rifle and sketched the details, so this is a very close copy.   The rifle has a 44” Colerain barrel, a Jim Chambers late Ketland lock and Davis double set triggers.  The metal work has been aged to reflect the look of a well cared for antique.  The brass has been antiqued.  The stock is finished dark to reflect the look of the original rifle.  All engraving and carving is in the style of the original.

-SOLD- Early Virginia Rifle -SOLD-

-SOLD- Left hand Lehigh -SOLD-

        This left hand gun is based upon the architecture of guns made in the Lehigh Valley.  It is not intended to be a true copy of any maker’s work, but in the general style of the area.    The gun has a 50 cal Green Mountain 7/8 straight barrel  that is 38” long, a large Siler lock by Jim Chambers and Davis double set triggers.  The Lehigh Valley style patchbox is neatly engraved.  The curly maple stock has raise as well as incise carved details.