Parker Gun Collectors Association Forums

Parker Gun Collectors Association Forums (https://parkerguns.org/forums/index.php)

- Parker Hammer Guns (https://parkerguns.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=14)

- - Wells Fargo coach gun (https://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=9451)

Generally a research letter on a low grade Parker will show the name of the hardware store or sporting goods dealer that placed the order.

The information varies depending on what was recorded. Some entries have the name of the person or company that placed the order but most were production guns that don't reflect a name. If WFC placed an order for multiple guns it may be recorded but if it was only one production gun probably not.

The research records are copies of the original Parker/Remington order books, stock books, and IBM cards. Some are in poor condition, and all are hand written. The Parker records contain many abbreviations and ditto marks. The grade of the gun is not listed in the order book. The price and barrel steel are used to determine grade from the entry. Ejector equipped guns are identified by an extra charge.

The research will include a review of both the order and stock books, and the IBM cards for Remington guns. The Research Committee will report on the gauge, grade, barrel length, stock configuration, butt, triggers, weight, stock dimensions and chokes noted in the record. Additional information will be reported when it is recorded on special orders. The researcher will omit information that cannot be clearly read. Copies of the stock and order book entries will not be included with the letter report. The Research Committee will sign the letter, and PGCA will retain a copy.

Thanks again for your time and input!

My guess is the Wells Fargo Company gets a request like this almost daily. These are heavily faked, every gun show has one or two it seems like. I've never heard of one that was real.

DLH

I saw a gun this weekend that was marked Wells Fargo & Co it had a 22 stamped in the metal, barrels 24" This gun was a Forehand? the man also had a copy of an order from WFCo showing the order for 20 of these side by sides. Could not authenticate, Was there a Gun Co named forehand ? Gary

Forehand and Wadsworth was a gun maker or at least a gun jobber back in the day. I've had a pistol marked with that name and a side hammer single shot marked them too.

DLH

Yes, I believe Forehand was either a part of, or bought by, Hopkins & Allen.

Forehand & Wadsworth made beautiful revolvers. Their 44 brings as much as a good large frame S&W (Not a N Frame, a Top Break like the Schofield, No.3 American etc.)

i seen a few forehand single barrel shotguns a a picture of a hammerless shotgun... charlie

I will be back at the gentlemans place to look at some other things, in a couple weeks I will try to get some photo's of the gun and the stampings