TN (William) Bean Rifle (Rev. War)

[Guest kim2247]

Does anyone own, or has anyone ever seen a Bean rifle? I am descended from Wm. Bean and trying to locate one of his guns. Any help in locating one appreciated.

[Mike.357]

Not cheap, look here

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=115128014

[ShaunM]

Not cheap, look here

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=115128014

[Guest gcrookston]

A quality reproduction might be of interest:

http://www.dillonsflintlocks.com/bean.shtml

I doubt the "C Bean" is the same as William Bean, nor the same as the Jms Bean rifles also refered to (probably with pun intended) as the Bean Field Rifle. Though all were made in Tennessee

[DaveTN]

No, but if you don’t already have it here is some info that may help you in your search.

http://ajlambert.com/revolt/rev_wb.pdf

Inn keeping was only one of the Beans’ talents. They were also master gunsmiths. This

skill helped them and their countrymen to defeat the British and settle the frontier. At

least twelve Beans through at least four generations made guns in the same region for one

hundred and fifty years. Captain Bean taught his sons the art of making guns and

although he practiced it little himself, his sons William, Jr., Robert, John, Jesse, Edmund,

George, and Russell made many rifles.

[Guest nj.piney]

welcome to tgo.

[TK47]

Best of luck in your search. You have a very distinguished ancestor there. He is considered by some to be THE first white settler in what would become Tennessee. If you manage to find one, please post back here. I would love to see it.

[eehlert]

You will be hard pressed to actually find one of William Bean's rifles. Also keep in mind, that many of the Bean rifles you will find, such as on Gunbroker (just did a quick search with one result: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=123576290) and on http://www.dillonsflintlocks.com/bean.shtml are not the same kind of rifle that William Bean would have carried or made. These two styles in the links I have provided are too late, i.e. late 18th century and early 19th century.

I am not sure exactly if you simply want a rifle made by a member of your family or one that more closely resembles what Wm Bean would have carried.

Hope this helps and good luck.

[chances R]

Just came upon this old, old thread.  I am a Bean decendent as well.  Any recent reports of Bean rifles or reproductions?

[bajabuc]

Foxfire five has a bunch of information on bean rifles

[DaveS]

I remember seeing one in a museum. If memory serves me right, it was in the museum at the Log Cabin Sport Shop in Lodi Ohio.

 

Dave S

[chances R]

yeah, and there is one owned by Frank Nicely in the Historical Museum here in Knoxville.  It is made by Russel Bean who holds the title of the 1st white child born in TN.  I also have an article somewhere showing a Judge from upper ETN holding one.  All the Beans were regarded as gunsmiths back in their day.  I can tell you that they used up all that talent because I never got any of it.