John Blanckle (also other spellings) is recorded as an apprentice of Thomas Towle that was turned over to Thomas Cox in 1669, free of the London Gunmakers Co. in 1677, a gunmaker "at the Halfmoon and Cross-pistols in the Minories" in 1687 and a contractor to the British Ordnance Department in 1682-1700 and the Royal Africa Company in 1698. He died in 1700. His son Samuel was a gunmaker in the early to mid 18th century (see "Gunmakers of London, 1350-1850" by Blackmore). The bore above is estimated, and the muzzle flares out to 1 3/4 inches at the muzzle. The barrel is marked "*/IB" over London proof and view marks on the left at the breech. The lock is marked "I/Blanckley" in script below the non-bridled pan and has some light engraving. The furniture is iron. It has sling swivel near the forend tip and a sling stud on the bottom of the butt with a portion of a leather sling. One of the two pairs of filled holes in the forend may have been where a swivel for mounting the gun to a boat was previously located. An inverted "V" style marking (Eastern Arabic 8?) and "27" rack number are marked on the buttplate.

Fine overall as partially restored with aged patina on the barrel, a dent on the right at the forend tip, light gray and brown patina on the lock and furniture, crisp markings and engraving. The stock is fair with general minor marks and scratches, some repairs, filler and insect damage concentrated near the butt. Mechanically fine.