Wells Fargo
 

A friend (yes I have one or two:) ) looked at a Parker Lifter serial number 12656 with Wells Fargo stampings. The gun is a 10ga w/20 inch bbls. I would assume that Parker as well as other companies provided guns to various companies. This gun isn't in the serialization book and the owner is curious as to it's authenticity. Would a research letter shed any additional information if it's not in the book?

Being in the SB doesn't shed much light on any gun. The SB is a list of stock book entries. Ownership and purchaser provenance is determined by order book entries.

There are quite a number of 'WELLS FARGO' or 'W.F.Co.' guns out there and experts have stated that probably about 95% of them are marked as such in order to deceive a buyer.

A research letter should show the original consignee IMHO. I have a Colt caliber .38 Long Colt Army revolver stamped "W.F. & Co." on the butt. It came with it's original article by O.C. Young on "Well Fargo Colts" showing that it was one of a lot of six shipped in 1906 to the Wells Fargo Co.

Best Regards, George

For awhile there, any sawed off, decent brand hammer gun was getting stamped Wells Fargo. In all my travels I've seen one that was the real deal, it had the bill of sale with it when WF cleared them out.

Destry

If researchers had access to the PGCA order book copies, we would have a pretty complete list of Parker shotguns actually sold to Wells Fargo. No fuss, no muss, or not.

The gun in question has been in the same family for 75+ years. I will assume the Wells Fargo stampings are legit. They are only looking to authenticate the gun not sell it.

Well then, that's a simple procedure of ordering a PGCA letter, again, no fuss, no muss.

If the letter doesn't say it then the stamps mean nothing. I saw half a dozen at the last gun show I went to, all were sawed off American hammer guns, all said Wells Fargo.

Destry

I wouldn't think there would of been as much conterfiting 75 years ago. 75 years ago old guns were just old guns for the most part. ch

counterfeiting was always prevalent. I had an incident where an older gentleman had a Colt Dragoon first model that he said he had for many years and wanted to sell. I told him that it would have to go to an authenticator. He agreed that if it was real and I bought it, I would foot the bill. If not then he would. Well, after much waiting, the gun wound up to be a VERY GOOD copy made in Mexico around the turn of the 20th century. The only tell tale sign was the angle of the screw threads. The expert said that it was only worth about $1,500.00 but if real would be between 7K to 9K. and very easy to pass off as real in its current condition. Do your homework when big$$$s are at stake.

Some previous discussion HERE

As always buyer beware.

"Been in the family for 75 years." can cover a lot of hanky panky. Let's get that PGCA letter posted. Wells Fargo didn't buy a lot of used guns. They bought them new. Unfortunately, PGCA doesn't seem to have order book info on this gun. A reference from the posted link states that many WF guns were bought locally so they would not show up as WF guns in the Parker Brothers order books. I think Walt Snyder may have discussed or listed documented WF Ithacas in his book.

I learned 40+ years ago that there are three guns to stay away from: Wells Fargo-marked coach guns (any maker), bolt-action Mossburgs with choke devices, and anything marked 'Made in Turkey.'

You're a little picky about the Mossburgs, aren't you, Kevin? I don't own one now, but I'm always looking.

Well, there aren't many of us who would wish for a bolt driven high into his cheek bone :eek:

How about HUGLUs? I've had several and they seem to be prety well made guns. Turkish walnut & engraving too.

Best Regards, George