Wells Fargo & Co. was started in 1852 by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo to provide shipping and banking services to the ever growing gold based economy of the California frontier before railway services became available. They quickly established themselves as the main service for transporting gold and mining supplies in the American Southwest as well. Boxes like this example were used by Wells Fargo & Co. as the safest and most secure form of gold transportation in the heyday of the Wild West era as a further protection against any number of highwaymen and train robbers looking to make their fortune through ill-gotten gains. When in transportation, strongboxes like this would have been stored under the seat of the agent assigned to it. This specific strongbox is the early style green painted variety with arched "WELLS FARGO" over "& CO." and iron mountings used circa 1870. These boxes would eventually be retired in favor of all steel models which added an extra level protection on top of being fireproof. The left side of this example retains a faded partial railway express agent label with some legible text remaining. The side mounted grip straps are absent, and felt corner protectors have been added to the bottom of the metal corner bolsters. Included with the box is a "WF. CO. EX" marked lock with shackle marked "2881" and a segment of chain attached.

Fine, retaining much of the original green paint with vivid coloration, corner wear, a crack in the lid, some separation in the corners, and wear on the bottom leading edge. The iron fittings show some remaining black paint, a few absent nails, and moderate surface oxidation. This rare early strongbox would be the ultimate addition to any old west or Wells Fargo & Co. collection!