I'm hoping some one can offer info or advise on this thing.
I picked this up dirt cheap a couple months ago and finally made time to clean it up and function check it, only to find when the stock was removed that the trigger housing has been welded to the bottom of the receiver. Is it possible that the manufacturer did this, or could it be someones lousy idea for repair. I'm conserned that the receiver may be compromised and unsafe to fire.

Just offhand these don't look like factory welds. Looks like a home done job. does it look like the trigger housing was fastened to the action any other way?

I've never had one these apart. Might check with Numrich arms to see if they have a parts diagram. That'll tell you if they should be seperate pieces.

I would'nt shoot it til I had a gunsmith look it over.

Yeah, those welds do sorta' resemble pigeon poop. Were this a Mauser receiver I would put a cracked bolt in place and weld it in solid.
I see no means of retaining the houseing to the receiver, my way of thought tells me it sets into the stock and then the receiver on top holds it in place.
As for firing it, I will definately be puting it in the test fire fixture for five to ten shots. Have considered useing 3" magnums to drive up the chamber pressure (it has a 2 3/4" chamber). Fist step though is to see if Ernei is swamped, be it dove, quail or duck season he always gets a flood right at or shortly after opening day.