Serial number help

[ArtS]

It is un fortunately a hardware store gun of some sort, to use a generic term. It was proofed in Belgium and made by one of many companies there who made low cost generic guns and often used names similar to Parker Bros or one of several high grade English guns marked with names such as W. Richards etc to try to increase their market price.

I would put no faith in the butt stock stamp. It uses a stamp of W F instead of Wells Fargo and is marked as simply Stage Depot without stating which one. I have never seen one marked as Stage Depot for a location, much less one which has no location. Everything I have ever seen is simply marked with some version of Wells Fargo.

These guns are often serviceable guns, but not built to the standards of finish and fitting of high grade guns. They should be checked by a qualified gunsmith who is familiar with composite barrel steel guns. Many will not recommend that any be used, so find someone who works on antique guns. He should check barrel bore condition and wall thickness, along with chamber size and general fit and condition. If you then decide to use it, stick to shells loaded to working pressures consistent with the black powder loads of the period or simply use moderate black powder loads. The chambers are likely 2-1/2" so it is more safe to shoot short reloads or new factory shells of the proper length loaded for these guns. RST is the most popular brand right now.

Guns such as this generally are referred to as "wallhangers" as their primary use is as a decorator piece. They are readily available for $100-150, especially with a broken stock. You can pursue information on the gun but I would hold little to no hope that it is real. Even then, it is a low grade gun with a broken stock and no provenance. If the documentation you had was original it was likely more valuable than the gun. If you get the gun OK'd to used by a gunsmith, it should be enjoyable to shoot and enjoy.