We have recently seen a number of suspect pairs of Blanchard's for sale on eBay and elsewhere.  We feel the need to add this section to help folks see and understand the difference between real Blanchard spurs and reproductions or fakes.  The very best way is to see and feel authentic spurs and then you can begin to really tell the difference.

Note that these maker's marks look like they are made with a tiny chisel instead of a true letter stamp. The spurs also sometimes look like they have been burned or rusted on purpose.
Contrast the San Antonio mark above to the known legitimate stamped mark below.

 

A number of spur makers can make "Blanchard's better than Blanchard did."  The style is terrific and really fits a boot. 
Here is one such legitimate maker:

Mel Gnatkowski - New Mexico Mel makes a faithful reproduction of Ed Blanchard's #2 stainless steel spurs shown below. Marked inside the heelband: BLANCHARD SPUR CO. NO. 2 SS ANCHO NM. They are current production spurs and marked thus to distinguish them from Ed Blanchard's Yucca AZ spurs. These spurs are handmade with the same craftsmanship for the working cowboy to wear or for the collector. They have a 1 1/8" ten point rowel in a 2" shank on a 1 1/4" wide band. Mel says, "I make five patterns #2, #3, #4, #6 & #8.  I mark them Blanchard Spur Co. since they are not my design and to distinguish them from my one piece spurs." The stainless steel #4 is $350 plus $15 shipping. Plain steel are $300.  (Prices are his, so subject to change.) Click here to E-mail Mel

Blanchard Spur Co. #2 1.25 inch band 2 inch shank 1.25 inch 10 point rowel Blanchard Spur Co. #3 1.5 inch band 1.75 inch shank 1.25 inch 6 point rowel Blanchard Spur Co # 4 1.5 inch band 2 inch shank 1.25 inch 10 point rowel Blanchard Spur Co #6 1.5 inch band 2 inch shank 1.25 inch 10 point rowel Blanchard Spur Co. #8 1.25 inch band 2.25 inch shank 1.25 inch 10 point rowel Blanchard Spur Company maker's mark

Click on photos for larger views.
Irwin. G. Herridge, Kingman, AZ Born April 7 1927 in Kingman, Arizona. Here is another maker of excellent Blanchard-style spurs.  While Herridge was living in Yucca, AZ, he studied with E. F. Blanchard and inherited his dies when Blanchard passed away.  Many of his first spurs with Mr. Blanchard will say Yucca (with a number) then he moved to Kingman, AZ and kept up his business. He is now deceased and these spurs are very collectible in their own right. Spurs are marked with a number, Yucca or Kingman, AZ, and By I.G. Herridge.

More power to the blacksmiths that can build a good pair of spurs, but they need to be marked as such, as are the above.  There is a difference between a reproduction and a fake made to fool the public.  The reproduction spurs usually are marked as such, but here are some marks represented as legitimate that are suspect and why.  But as we educate the buyers, remember we educate the folks that make the fakes.
Mel Gnatkowski says, "Most people are not good at counterfeiting. Study the real thing and you will see the fakes. Knowing that there are a lot of fakes should make the serious collector more wary."

With any purchase: Buyer Beware.  When in doubt don't buy. 

E. F. Blanchard Spurs - Examples

 

E F Blanchard cowboy spur maker