School: Lebanon/Dauphin (Pennsylvania/PA)
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.
