doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com J. Blanch & Son

I looked over a J. Blanch & Son 12ga boxlock yesterday, serial #5892. 30" fluid steel bbls, no case color, lever slightly to the left, well worn original finishes but tight action. Very light. 2K asking price. I googled and read the info on the UK database site. Anyone with any input on these guns? He also had a T. Wild 28" 12ga #11162 same price but the Blanch seemed like a nicer gun.

Blanch was an under-rated gun, at one time I had a 12b back action sidelock ejector by him. Really a good gun, with great wood.
Came out of London's East End at the time of the Ripper murders even!
Most likely from the trade.

J. Blanch guns run the gamut with most we see up for sale being on the better side of things imo. Toby Barclay could probably answer a question or two if you asked at Heritage Guns or the J. Blanch Database. If the barrels check out, I'd consider the gun. Caveat might be the "very light" as Wilds I've seen can stand up to more use without recoil being a factor.

Toby Barclay will have tables at the Sept. Vintagers event on the eastern shore of Maryland. I've seen examples of his very nice workmanship with restored J. Blanch guns. With most of his restored J.Blanch guns, he also includes a hard bound book with the history of the specific gun for sale. The J.Blanch guns that I have seen are very high quality.

Blanch, like many others, sold guns primarily made by others, but with his name on them. Like said above, Blanch guns could be ordered in all varieties of fit and finish.

As Daryl said Blanch marketed other makers under his name. I saw a back action gun last weekend that was made by W&C Scott.

Firstly, thanks to all for their kind words.
#5892 should date from around 1890 and can be considered as a relatively early boxlock for Blanch. It will probably have a stepped action (looks like a Greener) but will be pure A&D inside. The barrels will most likely have been Damascus originally but if steel will most likely be dovetail lumps and not 'Fluid Steel' whatever the top rib says. Having said that, a few do turn up with replacement genuine Whitworth item - look for the 'sheath of wheat' trade mark under the forend.
The engraving will usually be of 'ordinary' quality scroll, reflecting its probable origin of Birmingham where it was most likely made and finished. If the engraving is more special, it may have been finished in London but I have never seen one of this vintage that looks like a London gun.
Original wood is usually pretty good but replacements are often real 'planks', again reflecting the percieved value of the gun.
As to whether this gun is a good buy, I would be rather worried about the 'light weight'. These guns usually run 6lb 8oz to 6lb 12oz and so it could be that the barrels' wall thickness is not too good. Get it measured before you part with a $.
Overall, later Blanch boxlock guns were 'finer' finished that many of their contemporaries but these early ones are often a bit plain. Don't forget that after nearly 120 years, the internals may be a bit sad!
If you do buy it, please send its specification via the questionnaire at http://www.jblanchdatabase.co.uk for inclusion in the database. Please also send a photo or two 'under seperate cover'.

Thank you all. That is some very good info. Toby I will try to get another look at the gun next week when I go back north and pay more attention. When I said "light" I was comparing it to an American 12ga, say Parker or Ithaca. I'd say it was in the mid 6 lb range.

Blanch is a Brand Value three (BV3) name, assume the gun is a Original Quality grade second quality BLE (OQ6), and the Current Condition is like "Heavy use, but no abuse." BV3-OQ6-CC4 = $1750. Post a better description and maybe a photo and I'll refine my estimate. Ejector gun? % coverage of engraving? Wood grade? Fit an finish quality? Sear interceptors?

Great stuff Toby, thank you. I am completing the questionnaire for an old J. Blanch and Son hammergun, #4795. I suspect it is a conversion from pinfire to centerfire. It has the back action locks, with the underlever breech bolt mechanism. Very fine scrollwork and great wood. I can post some pics if anyone is interested.

A question for you though Toby. Was the gun made in-house in London or made via the trade using artisans and craftsmen from Birmingham? How can you tell a) if another firm made the gun(s) and b) which firm it was that manufactured it?

Anyway, thank you for the information on Blanch guns. Truly an excellent maker.

Brad