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Wells Fargo SXS Question

marsye
I have the chance to buy a double barrel thats marked "? Richards" and engraved with "Wells Fargo & Co." on both sides of stock. It appears to be in good condition however how can I tell if its authentic and whats the value?
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9 comments

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  • Xracer
    I've never heard of a "Richards" shotgun....but that certainly doesn't mean that there wasn't one.

    However.....be very careful of anything marked "Wells Fargo & Co". There are a lot of fakes out there.

    I'd offer whatever you think that the gun (without the WF logo) is worth.

    "Buy the gun, and not the story".
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  • 2520wcf
    There were lots of cheap Belgian shotguns marked "W. Richards" to capitalize on the famous British Westley Richards gunmakers' fame. They are usually the most basic of laminated steel or twist steel-barreled hammer guns and were sold all over the U.S. for decades through, among others, the Sears and Wards catalogs.

    They WERE widely used in the Old West, mostly by poor people--sodbusters and small town people who just needed a scattergun for varmints and pot shooting and "things that go bump in the night." Bank and stage guards tended to use better guns like Greeners and Remingtons. Wells, Fargo MIGHT have used a cheap Belgian gun, but I'd take the first responder's warning to heart--most WF&Co.-marked guns are fakes. And a "W. Richards" is basically a wall-hanger, not safe with modern ammo.
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  • Bert H.
    The only "authentic" verifiable Wells Fargo & Co. shotguns that I know of were made by Ithaca. 99.8% of all the "Wells Fargo & Co." stamped shotguns encountered are fakes[V]!

    I agree that the shotgun in question is most likely one of the thousands of "W. Richards" marked Belgium clunkers.



    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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  • 2520wcf
    I forgot about Ithacas--makes sense. Bert, do you know if the REAL WF&Co. guns were 10s or 12s or both? Were they all hammer guns or some hammer and some hammerless? And, since I'm asking, were they short barreled guns 18" to 20" or full-length, like 28 or 30"? The movies always show short barrels....
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  • marsye
    I appreciate all your replies...Sounds like I will have to pass this one up! Thanks! Marsye
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by 2520wcf
    I forgot about Ithacas--makes sense. Bert, do you know if the REAL WF&Co. guns were 10s or 12s or both? Were they all hammer guns or some hammer and some hammerless? And, since I'm asking, were they short barreled guns 18" to 20" or full-length, like 28 or 30"? The movies always show short barrels....




    Hello 2520wcf...

    I believe that both 10 & 12 gauge guns were supplied, and that they were full length barrels, but I will have to double-check with the fellow I know who has the reference material.

    Forgot to mention that Nord may have the answer to this... maybe he will see this and provide his .02 worth[:D]

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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  • laxcoach
    I know of an individual in W. Va. who supplements his income by "producing" Wells Fargo sxs's from any old pos he can get his hands on. BEWARE
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by 2520wcf
    I forgot about Ithacas--makes sense. Bert, do you know if the REAL WF&Co. guns were 10s or 12s or both? Were they all hammer guns or some hammer and some hammerless? And, since I'm asking, were they short barreled guns 18" to 20" or full-length, like 28 or 30"? The movies always show short barrels....




    OK, I had to go ask this on a different forum that I frequently haunt. The reference book is - "The Ithaca Gun Company, From the Beginning" by Walter Snyder. This text apparently lists by serial number the Ithaca made shotguns supplied to Wells Fargo & Co. (I don't have a copy of it... yet[8D]).

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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  • nord
    Run away...Don't walk... RUN!!!

    Nord
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