The Artist
About the Artists
As a 7th generation descendant of the legendary Beck gunsmiths of Lancaster and Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, I carry forward a profound legacy. Our family's craftsmanship reached the highest levels of recognition when John P. Beck presented one of his masterpiece rifles to President George Washington—a piece now preserved in the Frazier Museum in Kentucky. The Beck family oral history, passed down through my grandfather, ignited my passion for long rifles and their intricate design.
My journey in craftsmanship began in 2008 as a carpenter's apprentice under a master cabinet maker in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This foundation in woodworking proved invaluable when I launched my gunsmithing practice in 2021. My skills were further refined through a week long mentorship from renowned craftsmen Ian Pratt and Ken Gahagan at Canters Cave.
Based in the historic Susquehanna Valley—the birthplace of the American Long Rifle—I'm surrounded by the rich heritage of this craft. While maintaining a full-time career, I dedicate myself to preserving our family's legacy through traditional gunsmithing. Each rifle I create is both a commission and a personal artistic pursuit, crafted with the same dedication my ancestors showed generations ago.
As a member of the KRA, my research spans numerous American collections, including extensive study at the Pennsylvania Longrifle Museum. This hands-on examination of historical pieces informs every aspect of my work. I employ traditional methods, shaping stocks from blanks using planes, spokeshaves, rasps, and scrapers—creating firearms with an authenticity impossible to achieve through modern manufacturing.
Each lock and piece of furniture is carefully customized using 18th-century techniques and tools, resulting in pieces that carry the subtle marks of hand craftsmanship. These minor variations aren't imperfections but signatures of genuine handwork, distinguishing these rifles from mass-produced pieces.
To follow my current projects and explore previous works, visit my blog 'From the Workshop.' For those interested in the historical context of these remarkable firearms, I invite you to read my essay, 'The American Long Rifle,' which explores the role these weapons played in shaping early American frontier life.
