Guns International #: 102955376

Category - Antique Pistols - Percussion - Pairs of Pistols

Category
Antique Pistols - Percussion
Pairs of Pistols

blanch pocket pistols .50 caliber

Description:
3 /2 inch smoth bore barrels //  vg  bores  //   8  1/2  inches  oa /  finished  in the  bright  / very  nice  pistol  with cap box  in  butt  /  marked  blanch  and  london  on  barrel  /  work fine  in  dry  fire / all original  /  has  2  screws in  left  side  for  belt  hook they  dont  look used  / probably  still in  the  case if  we  had  it  ??  grips are  vg  with  tight  fit  and  no  damage/  nice  snap in  ram rods    $52 sh  

The Company and the People…
John Blanch was born in 1784 and at the age of 16 was apprenticed to the London gunmaker Jackson Mortimer. On the 2 December 1809, John was married to his master’s daughter, Ann Eleanor Mortimer in Spitalfields Christ Church, Stepney. 1809 also saw Blanch establish his own business from 39 Fish Street Hill. This came after a short lived partnership with his father in law, under the name of Mortimer & Blanch. The early years saw John Blanch working mainly for John Manton but he soon became well established and respected as a gunmaker in his own right. Blanch’s respected standing as a businessman and gunmaker is evidenced by his rapid advancement through the ranks of the Farriers Company, culminating in 1834 with the prestigious appointment of ‘Master’.
With his wife, John Blanch had three sons. Their first son, John, was born in 1812 and was apprenticed to his father. In 1836 John moved from London to run the business which his father had acquired from gunmaker Robert Williamson at 26 Silver Street, Hull. However, later the same year John, along with his wife Sara emigrated to Australia and the business in Hull was sold. Sadly John died in 1839, killed in an explosion in his business premises in Melbourne.
Second son, Henry Mortimer Blanch was born in 1817. Henry too was apprenticed to his father but, like John, Henry did not stay in the family business and, in 1843, also emigrated to Australia.
Youngest son William, pictured left, was born in 1822. Like his older siblings, he was also apprenticed to his father and continued to work in the business. In 1848, William became a partner in the business and it was from this point that the company became known as John Blanch & Son.
In 1826 the business was moved from the premises in Fish Street Hill to 29 Gracechurch Street where it was to stay for the next 89 years.

Price: $1,350.00

Antique: Yes
Manufacturer: blanch
Model: traveling pistols
Condition: vvg