Just thought I’d share this from my Early catalogs from the 1920’s-1930’s San Francisco hobby shop.
You’ll get a kick out of the prices.
This really represents the beginnings of antique collecting on the West coast anyway. 1920’s and before the crash!

I’d say prices have come up just a bit.
A Schofield Wells Fargo for $12
A No.1/2 22 for $5
Or how about a 5” No 2 “cased” for $11

Murph

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I also noticed looking through several of the early catalogs that there are a lot of Wells Fargo Schofields listed on the “BARGIAN” page for a whopping $6.
This just further supports my research that a huge number were ordered by Wells Fargo. Not a couple hundred.
They are BARGINS because of condition. Well used “ AUTHENTIC “ EXPRESS GUNS!

Unless you want to continue to believe they were cranking out FAKES in 1928 for $6! and listing them for a bargain price?

Time to get with the program.

Murph

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Murph - It would be neat to find one with the serial number in your catalog

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Mark

Hi Mark,
Thanks for your interest. My records on the EXPRESS GUNS are quite lengthy now. I have them stored at another location. I just left that location yesterday where these catalogs are also stored.

What is outstanding about these catalogs is that they literally take my research back to 1928. How do they do that?

Because several of these guns listed in the catalogs I actually have documented from modern sales. I also have photograph close ups of the WELLS FARGO STAMPS ON THE BARREL.

The serial numbers are listed in this catalog if you take another look at the photo’s I posted?

Example:

Lot number. Serial number
3332. 3035
3329. 3764
3333. 2827
3331. 2605
2644. 2757 (nickel plated)


Then we look at the source:
David Leeds Ingalls. The man’s record is impeccable. He was the owner of the Far West Hobby Shop and in writing he started collecting in 1905!!! That’s some great stuff. The man started collecting 14 years after the 2nd Schofield contract! You want more???? HE WORKED FOR THE RAILROAD FOR 47 YEARS! HOW’S THAT FOR ROCK SOLID STUFF. THE MAN WAS THERE!

He is also the very first person who correctly lists these guns as issued to Messengers. In 1890 there were over 4500 Messengers listed. That fact alone represents “A LOT OF PISTOLS!” MY research also proves in writing that these guns were “issued” by the company to each individual messenger and the employee signed a document that required them to use the gun in the event of a robbery.

MURPH

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The Schofield model is on my wish list. I have been nervous about purchasing a Wells Fargo altered gun. Have heard ther are many fakes out there.

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Mark

Mark,
That’s pure hogwash.

My lengthy research proves otherwise. Over 90% are legit. I’m only saying from research that I can’t prove the other 10% that I have documented are correct.

They got so much WRONG about EXPRESS GUNS with earlier research. All backed by rumors and fear tactics.

The only real obvious “fakes” out there that you actually see in numbers are shotguns and trunks.
Shotguns are very difficult to authenticate because there are no known purchase records. Only photographs and from research of Express records each office was authorized to purchase shotguns locally so there really is no way to authenticate them without Providence.

The Schofield WELLS FARGO was purchased by purchasing agents directly by the EXPRESS COMPANY and many if not most were directly issued to EXPRESS MESSENGERS. More were issued to offices and other Agents. So their numbers are much higher than the excepted “couple hundred” as stated by poor research of the past.

I have a shotgun that is legit that came with a Wells Fargo Schofield and lengthy providence that covered an EXPRESS ROUTE in the valley of California between Sonora, Chinese Camp, James Town and Coulterville.

EXPRESS GUNS are very historical and every collection should have at least one example.

If you have any questions about authenticity just send me a good photo of the property stamp and number along with serial number and exact barrel length and I can refer to my lengthy records to evaluate it.

Or you can listen to the fearmongers that have ZERO FACTS AND ZERO RESEARCH PERFORMED.

Your call.

Murph