John Blanch & Son 12 Bore Best Boxlock Ejector with Exquisite Engraving and 29” Barrels – 2-3/4”

Description:
   ***   JUST IN FROM THE UK   ***   Refurbished by Toby Barclay of Heritage Guns   ***   This Blanch, number 6491, was made circa 1906 and is a very finely finished example of the Anson & Deeley boxlock that had become such a hugely successful design by the last decade of the 19th Century. The full coverage of bold foliate scroll engraving is extremely attractive and was used by Blanch on their Best boxlocks. The action is built on the Webley & Brain patent, known as the ‘Screw Grip’, which works with the usual Purdey bolt to give a really firm lock-up and this combined with the Anson & Deeley ‘Dicky Bird’ safety mechanism and its original steel barrels, make it a very pretty, safe and 'shootable' gun for either game or clays. Presented in a leather ‘Brady’ style case with the gun’s original numbered Maker’s label and some accessories.

The action is of Anson & Deeley design and features: Double triggers bolted by an automatic top tang safety slide; Top lever opening, operating a 'Purdey Bolt' and ‘Screw Grip’ third bite in conjunction with the top rib extension;‘Southgate’ ejectors tripped by patented rocking levers at the knuckle; Anson pushrod forend catch. Gun weight 6lb 11oz. Engraving style Full coverage of bold foliate scroll.Action bar signed in scrolling banner ‘J BLANCH & SON LONDON’. Gold inlaid ‘SAFE’. The original barrels are numbered to the action. Trigger pulls measure approximately: Front trigger 3 ¾ lbs Rear trigger 4 ½ lbs.

The original BSA-supplied steel barrels are 29" in length, chambered for 2 ¾" (70mm) cartridges and are of brazed 'dovetail' lump construction with soft soldered ribs. The gun balances a touch forward of the hinge pin. Top rib is of the smooth, concave, game type. Bores are clean and mirror bright. Birmingham reproof for 2 ¾” nitro powder cartridges in 2024. The right barrel is bored 0.731 with a constriction of 0.004 for Skeet choke. Minimum wall thickness is 0.023. The left barrel is bored 0.733 and has a constriction of 0.020 for Modified choke. Minimum wall thickness is 0.023.

The Straight Hand Stock (possible vintage replacement) and original Splinter Forend are crafted from highly figured walnut. The stock is cast-off for a right-handed shot, features a vacant white metal oval and is finished with a traditional 3/4” leather covered recoil pad. There is a small repair to the lower LH corner of the stock’s head. The forend is fitted with a finely engraved steel tip. Stock dimensions are 14-7/8” including the leather pad by 1-7/16” by 2-5/8”. Cast off for the righthand shot.

The 22 (stock) and 26 (forend) lines per inch chequering has been freshened to their original design.
The stock is finished with a traditional linseed oil based preparation as used on best guns by one of the top English makers.

   ***   US AGENT FOR HERITAGE GUNS UK   ***

  ***   Please note that the photographs are part of the description. Not for sale where prohibited by state or local laws. Buyer is responsible for all shipping, insurance, and any other related charges. I give a 3-day non-firing inspection period which begins when it arrives at the buyer’s FFL or specified address if the gun is classified as an Antique. Returns at buyer’s expense.   ***

 


Price: $7,350.00