LC Smith Wells Fargo SxS shotgun

[ahlosojoe]

I would appreciate some info on a L.C. Smith Wells Fargo SxS 12ga shotgun. This is quite an amazing gun to look at. Enclosed hammers, Damascus, 20 inch barrels, Badge on stock, stage coach model?, In very good shape. Cannot find any information on it. Marked Wells Fargo. Your help please.

 

[L.C.]

Saw this on another forum.
https://www.thefirearmsforum.com/threads/wells-fargo-coach-guns.43374/
.
Be very, very careful here. Authentic Wells Fargo markings can turn an "old junker" shotgun into a valueable antique.....and there are lots of very good fakers out there that know that. And many of them are quite expert forging markings.

The only way to tell if this shotgun is a real "Wells Fargo" or a clever forgery is to have it appraised by an expert.

From the Wells Fargo website: (https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/history/faqs#Q10)

"How do I know if the Wells Fargo markings on an antique shotgun are real?

"Wells Fargo" marked shotguns have become a problem among collectors of antique firearms. In general, each town's Well Fargo Agent bought weapons from local stores carrying whatever was available - it was not a central headquarters function. Just as with companies today, Wells Fargo's offices did not keep outdated records. Therefore, there are no comprehensive lists of Wells Fargo firearms.

Additionally, in recent years, many people have added "Wells Fargo" to actual antique weapons. All of this makes it very difficult to know whether any shotgun currently for sale was or was not used by Wells Fargo, regardless of the markings. For further information, you may check the book by James Bartz, Company Property, (the Westbound Stage, 1993), for sale at http://www.westboundstage.com

 

[OKRuss]

Did a quick search and found there's a L.C. Smith Collectors web page. May not have what you're asking about but seems some knowledgeable folks and a couple of threads about a Wells Fargo stamp. I inherited one from my Dad via his Dad but it's not as collectible - 1948 field grade with enclosed hammers. https://members.boardhost.com/lcsmith/thread/1552309651.html