Part Number: AAP-189
This classic fullstock flint rifle is constructed in the style of John Phillip Beck - Lebanon township, Lancaster County Pennsylvania. John Philip Beck was the preeminent gunsmith in this region from the late 1770's until his death in 1811. Dr. George Shumway suggests that J.P. Beck's unique style of rifle architecture changed little over this period, unlike many other gunsmiths, during the golden age of the American longrifle.
This new, unfired rifle was constructed by contemporary gunmaker M. Markey and is signed on the top flat of the barrel. Stocked in curly maple with contrasting bands of figure, the stock is stained to a dark brown with golden undertones. The burnished brass furniture has a light patina finish to give the rifle a lightly used appearance. To compliment the patina finish on the brass the Jim Chambers' Golden Age flintlock, and the Rice swamped barrel are finished to a blue that has been rubbed back to a silvery gray patina.
The Rice 42" swamped octagon makes this longrifle point easily, without being overly heavy. The swamped barrel is thickest at the breech, tapers to a narrow waist, and flares at the muzzle. The .50 caliber bore is cut rifled with seven lands and grooves. Grooves are cut .016" deep, with round bottom rifling, twist is 1 turn in 66 inches. Rice Muzzle Loading Rifle Barrels are set between centers and milled octagonal, insuring a centered bore, concentric with the exterior, with no "run-out". Each barrel is stress relieved in an atmosphere controlled electric furnace, to eliminate work hardening or barrel warp, and to dampen harmonic vibrations or barrel whip.
After the rifling has been cut, each bore is "ball burnished". A carbide bore-sizing die is pulled through the barrel, to insure bore dimension uniformity, eliminating any tight or loose spots inside the barrel. This critical procedure leaves the top of the lands smooth and polished, equaling the traditional lead lapping procedure. Rice barrels are Match grade quality, with bench rest capability. Rice barrels do not require lapping or extensive shooting to break-in.