Wells, Fargo & Co./Colt Single Action Army .45 1877…

This Colt Single Action Army was once used by Wells, Fargo & Co. Guarding the Shipments, on Stage Coaches, Wagons, Trains and the Various Offices in the Old West Serial No. 3987X was manufactured in 1877, In 1877 it had the standard 7-1/2 inch barrel. All other features remain the same. Donut Ejector rod head, One Piece Walnut Grips. It has the Single Line Barrel address, and two line Frame Patent. All serial numbers are matching. ALL other parts are the factory original and present. Now it is important to discuss it’s working life with Wells Fargo. PRIOR to 1895, all Fir arms were purchased at Regional Office levels by W.F. & Co. Superintendents. Why, well, the Company Started in 1852, during the percussion era. It continued arming their representatives right into the cartridge era. All phases were armed, Stagecoach, Railways, Offices and delivery Wagons. You ask why ? Simply because Well Fargo stood behind every shipment, especially high $$$$$$ shipments. The client would not lose,  the company covered any losses. They were not going to surrender the ” goods” easily. That alone added to the legend of Wells Fargo. In 1877 or there about this Colt was purchased by W.F. & Co. They marked ALL their property, even office feather dusters. It was a deterrent to theft both outside and internally. Which they backed up with dogged determination to stop theft, and the Colt was part of that program. When the Superintendent acquired what he believed to be a satisfactory weapon of resistance, it was entered into the property log books in the office. THEN, ALL property was Stamped with the Company Name.  This Colt has W.F. & Co. on the butt. This kept track of whom it was issued to, as they were responsible for it’s care and property . This was known as property Room Marked. This is how it was done PRIOR to Direct Purchase which Began in 1895 with William Ashton NY. Looking at the letters, they are quite small, and of the Roman Serif Style, which was the type used in the 19th century. Even the periods are square. One other feature is the fact the butt of the revolver shows Express Co. use ! the wood has several+ dents from nail heads, gun used as tool. In fact a few chips in the edge of the grip have been worn smooth by the hand Also, the butt of the revolver is heavily worn. The WF& Co. marking is very faint, as is the Colt serial Number. Not only that even the screw head in the butt is worn. This Colt saw service from the 1870’s probably right up until early 1900’s through out the western theatre, on Wagons, Trains, Stage Coaches, Offices , Agents etc…. The barrel was reduced “in the day” to 5-1/2 inches, from the 7-1/2 inch factory length. Well done, level and crowned, probably done by a Gun Smith in one of the western towns.. Currently, the finish is Gray patina, all original, never been cleaned or buffed, all original. The one Piece Walnut Grips shown a hand patina from being handled. BUT the but shows tool usage, very typical to express co. guns. Many decades ago I was considered in the trade to be a Express Compony firearm’s expert, along with a few others, like Tom Martin, Greg Martin. WE built large collections of everything, signs, furniture, blankets, strong boxes, firearms,  so and so forth. A fun enterprise. WHY ? who do you think all the famous bandits of the old west robbed?? Wells Fargo, American Express, Adams Ex. Pacific Ex , the Wagons, Stage coaches and Train Cars had all the RICHES  being mover about the old west. This Single Action Colt from 1877 guarded the goods, probably fired in anger, most likely. A great piece of the “life” on the old Frontier. It is absolutely authentic.