Don Blocksidge RIP

[MartynB]

Likewise, Craig, never met him but had a Spartan that sported his work, stunning, as said, another talent lost

[Mach 1.5]

Got a few webley's done by Don. He did a lovely job and my late dad's Webley MK1 pistol. A lovely guy also. RIP Don. Mach 1.5

[CapitalBee]

A sad loss of someone you'd class as an old school craftsman. R.I.P.

[prosport.177]

RIP Don .

Sad news for the family..

And sadness that the tap of the tools now sound silent

[Troubledshooter]

Very sad news indeed, he was a true craftsman.
I'm not a particular fan of engraved air guns, but have one of his earliest examples of an engraved 'Through the Blue' Webley Senior, fitted with standard grips. When I spoke to Don about this he vaguely remembered doing it, but most of his later examples were done 'In the Silver' and refinished after engraving.
Below are some photographs of said Senior. The grips were acquired later.



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[666]

RIP Don. I never met him but spoke to him a few times when I had 2 rifles engraved by him some time ago. Wouldn't it be a fitting tribute to have a few pics up on this thread of his craftsmanship?

I have a few pics of an ISP AND GC2 scimtar I could add but no idea how to ;-)

Atb

Pete

[Westy_Boy]

Very sad news. I have always enjoyed seeing his work. I have a HW35 that has some of his handy work.....Don't think it will ever leave my possession!

[MartynB]

I have a few pics of an ISP AND GC2 scimtar I could add but no idea how to ;-)

I have some of the ISP I had, will see if I can get them up

[Josie & John]

RIP Don.

A true craftsman and a gentleman, always happy to answer any queries I had.

It is good to know that Don's memory will live on in the incredible works of art he created over the last few decades and an honour to be the custodian of some of them.

John M

[colin g]

Been away for the week and to return to this news is a spoiler,, Don will live on through his work and i am lucky enough to own one of Ben Taylors own rifles that Don worked his magic on and a wonderful piece of work it is too, Being a shooter and motorcyclist i have admired Dons skill for many many years,
Combined with the polishing and bluing by Ben and the artwork of Don they made masterpieces on many custom rifles and pistols, Privileged to own one .
R.I.P. Don... A real pleasure to own a piece of your work.


Quick link for some of Dons work..
https://donblocksidge.weebly.com/gallery.html

[Troubledshooter]

I've now added photographs to post#20.

[MartynB]

I've now added photographs to post#20.

That is stunning

[Troubledshooter]

That is stunning

I agree, it is rather attractive
The one advantage is that the barrels can be changed without detracting from the appearance, as they are not engraved. I have it in a wood case complete with extra barrel, photograph shown below.

I prefer it to the later examples of Don's work on Webley pistols, as he covered them with a lot more engraving and had them refinished once completed. I've seen, and been offered a few of his later examples, but they weren't for me.
I would have liked a set of his Walnut chequered grips, but he told me he wouldn't make any separately as the cost would be prohibitive, but could be absorbed into the prices of his finished works, which at the time were around the £500 mark.

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[TopDog]

Another reason to regret selling some of my engraved rifles.

RIP Don

[Lavant_Lad]

Very sad news indeed, he was a true craftsman.
RIP Don.