Anyone Own A "Hercules" Double Barrel Shotgun? PICTURES ADDED!!

Wyatt Burp · Sep 12, 2010

I'm too lazy to dig it out of the safe and photo it, but I have a very robust double barrel 12 guage with 32" barrels. It is very solid. It's marked "Hercules" and Montgomery Wards. My dad replaced the buttstock with one of his own making decades ago. Anyone know anything about these? What's the quality of these compared to other doubles? It has a very dulled case colored frame. Thanks for any help.

max · Sep 12, 2010

I seem to remember that was a "trade name". It could have been made by a company that manufactured guns for hardware stores, etc. Let me search a bit.

Wyatt Burp · Sep 12, 2010

max said:
I seem to remember that was a "trade name". It could have been made by a company that manufactured guns for hardware stores, etc. Let me search a bit.

Thanks, Max. i searched it a little and some are pretty expensive, but I don't associate Monty Wards with super fancy guns. Maybe there were diff. grades. I think I read "Stevens" and some other companies mentioned in regards to this gun. I'll double check, too and maybe take a picture.

jrm53 · Sep 12, 2010

Iver Johnson made a S/S double in a Hercules grade, some of the smaller gauges are very high priced as are some of the 12's depending on condition, if its Iver Johnson it should be marked though. Jeff

Forester · Sep 12, 2010

Try this:

Firearms / Cross Reference Index / Home Page

Looks like it was made by Stevens?

2152hq · Sep 13, 2010

An Iver Johnson 'Hercules' model will have the I/J mfg'r address on the gun frame or barrels depending on the era made.

There is some info that I/J made a run of Hercules guns for Montgomery Wards in the 1930's. These are reportedly marked with 'Western Field' or Western Field Model 53' on the frame.
I don't know but I doubt these M/Ward guns would also have the Iver Johnson name on them.

Heavy, robust guns in 12 gauge especially. Color case hardened frames AFAIK. The one I had was and was a nice looking job.
The small gauges bring some serious money if in original condition.

Seems like other gun company(s) of the early 20th century used the Hercules name also on some 'hardware store' brand guns.
Forester's list shows Stevens. I was thinking that Crescent may have used it also but don't see it on a list of their models.

Wyatt Burp · Sep 13, 2010

Thanks, everyone. I'll dig it out and give it a close inspection. Matt

Skeeziks · Sep 13, 2010

Wyatt Burp said:
Thanks, everyone. I'll dig it out and give it a close inspection. Matt

And some photos, please....

Wyatt Burp · Sep 13, 2010

Skeeziks said:
And some photos, please....

Here's a few shots of the gun. I said the barrels were 28" but they are actually 32". This is one big shotgun.

Forester · Sep 13, 2010

The receiver and triggers look identical to the Ranger labeled one I have. Exact same. I believe you have a Stevens there.

Skeeziks · Sep 13, 2010

It's a Stevens mod 315. I have one myself. Mine is marked "Springfield."

I have some pics of it somewhere on this forum. I'll try to find them.

Skeeziks · Sep 14, 2010

Hi Wyatt.... Here is the link to the thread from July. There are 3 pages and my pics are at the bottom of page 2. You should find this thread interesting. Check out the pics of the OP's gun.
I hope this link works: http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/144379-old-side-side-12-gauge-questions.html

Here are the pics I just took today:

357larry · Sep 14, 2010

A friend of mine who I haven't seen in a long time, inherited several guns from his grandfather years ago. One was an old Montgomery-Wards 16 guage with outside hammers and damascus barrels. Can't recall if it was marked Hercules though.

Wyatt Burp · Sep 15, 2010

357larry said:
A friend of mine who I haven't seen in a long time, inherited several guns from his grandfather years ago. One was an old Montgomery-Wards 16 guage with outside hammers and damascus barrels. Can't recall if it was marked Hercules though.

While searching the internet on these shotguns think I did read that they made 16 gauge guns marked Hercules and also hammer guns. And some are apparently very pricy now.

Anyone Own A "Hercules" Double Barrel Shotgun? PICTURES ADDED!!

Wyatt Burp

Well-known member

max

Well-known member

Wyatt Burp

Well-known member

jrm53

Well-known member

Forester

Well-known member

2152hq

Well-known member

Wyatt Burp

Well-known member

Skeeziks

Well-known member

Wyatt Burp

Well-known member

Forester

Well-known member

Skeeziks

Well-known member

Skeeziks

Well-known member

Attachments

357larry

Well-known member

Wyatt Burp

Well-known member

Similar threads

Latest posts