American Gun Co. was a trade name used on Crescent Fire Arms Co. products. The bottom of the shotgun's action is marked with the inscription, "WF & Co" in large letters. The left barrel is marked "CHOKE BORED", and the right is marked "GENUINE ARMORY STEEL." The barrels have been shortened as was common for guns used by Wells Fargo shotgun messengers and express car agents in the late 19th century and the early years of the 20th century. During the Wells Fargo & Co.'s heyday as an express company, the company did not have a standardized method of marking the weapons purchased by its agents to equip the men who guarded their shipments. The weapons themselves were also not standardized, but it is generally accepted that most agents were issued a revolver and shotgun; often a short barreled shotgun that was easier to wield in the tight spaces of a rail car or on a moving stagecoach. Some of the men were also issued lever action carbines, but shotguns generally appear to have been the preferred weapon as is both attested to in period records and seen in photographs. A post front sight is fitted on the textured solid rib near the muzzles. "0" and "58521" are marked on the water table. The serial number is also marked on the underside of the forearm and its hardware. The outside hammer action is marked "AMERICAN GUN CO. NEW YORK" on the left side plate and has scalloped border designs. The shotgun is fitted with a checkered walnut forearm and semi-pistol grip stock with a checkered hard rubber buttplate embossed with the American Gun Co. dog emblem. The barrels have 2 3/4 inch chambers. The muzzles were left open instead of re-choked for great shot spread when they were cut down. The length of pull is 14 inches.

Fair as modified. The shotgun displays a mottled brown patina overall with spots of slight pitting and oxidation. The wood is poor with partially smoothed checkering, cracks and a chunk absent at the front of the forend, and some overall minor scratches. The action is fine and has a small chip on the leading left edge. The barrels also have some small nicks and marks. The markings are clear.