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.
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Contrast the San Antonio mark above to
the known
legitimate stamped mark below. |
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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
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Blanchard Spur Co. #2 |
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1.25 inch band
2 inch shank
1.25 inch 10 point rowel |
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Blanchard Spur Co. #3 |
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1.5 inch band
1.75 inch shank
1.25 inch 6 point rowel |
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Blanchard Spur Co # 4 |
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1.5 inch band
2 inch shank
1.25 inch 10 point rowel |
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Blanchard Spur Co #6 |
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1.5 inch band
2 inch shank
1.25 inch 10 point rowel |
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Blanchard Spur Co. #8 |
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1.25 inch band
2.25 inch shank
1.25 inch 10 point rowel |
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Blanchard Spur Company maker's mark |
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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. |
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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.
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