If and when I ever publish anything on Mr. La Bantchni I would like it to be accurate as possible.
This is the information posted by Mr. Lee, If I have misquoted please advise.
“Did beautiful work, both stock and metal. He was also a master engraver. Worked at Pachmayr's with August and Frank from the 1930's through the late 50's-early 60's. Went out on his own until his death. He was quite prolific, his guns appear with frequency and are steadily climbing in value. Hope this helps. Warmest Regards Jerry 1/21/2010”
"The name is not Santchni...it is LA BANTCHNI as in JULES outstanding riflemaker at Pachmayr's from the late 1930's until the late 60's...early 70's (and was on his own,I've been told to the early 80's) Google his name and you'll have the pleasure of seeing quite a few examples of his Classic style work. I met him while in CA.in the 60's on my way to Vietnam and spent quite a few hours at their shop recuperating, after a 2nd combat tour and a run in with a 60mm mortar round. They were kind, putting up with me on crutches and made me feel welcome. Jules and I spoke Italian in the shop (my mother was born in Palermo) and Frank said "Only German spoken Here". NIce Rifle. HTH. Jerry" 11/29/11
"Michael: Jules worked part-time for Pachmayr while he was still a machinist at Boeing Aircraft in Pasadena. I believe he went to work full time gunmaking with Frank, after he retired from Boeing in the early 50's. As to the German speaking...Yes but it was said in jest, due to his father's German Heritage. Jules spoke good Italian. On the other hand... Mi scusi mi Italiano e' molto bruto. Ciao Jerry"
Look at it from an author's perspective - there are REAMS of data in those three quotes alone that would have to be clearly verified before anything resembling a publishable account could be written up. Just the Boeing reference needs to be nailed down, let alone the August/Frank axis, then the decades of the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's are all mentioned...full time or subcontractor? This city or that? And what of Continental Guns? Was he at Boeing (apparently full time) or with Pachmayr's in the 40's? (Both possibilities are attested.) What did he do during the war? Did working at Boeing keep him out of WW2? If you were considering publication or even just the clear preservation of documentary evidence to hand over to future generations, all of this has to be combed out and re-braided. There is no hit at Mr. Lee's very trustworthy first person memories of actually being in the shop on multiple occasions (which is priceless data). Just the bit about the language jokes is a great insight into the inner workings of the shops and the personal ethnic heritages and attitudes of the workmen. (What would we give to put that kind of history with other smiths which are pretty much ciphers to us now?) But La Bantchni's work history seems to be extremely nebulous and there is nothing shameful about insisting that every stone be turned over to put as many dates on paper as possible.
You can't have enough good data. You can't do too much research. And if you don't do it in a hurry, memories that are ascribed to one maker will, with time, slowly shift around until they are ascribed to another man in a different time and place. History becomes legend, and legends don't do anyone much good.
