Author Topic: Help ID Old SxS w/ Exposed Hammers  (Read 7108 times)

Offline Slewfoot

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Help ID Old SxS w/ Exposed Hammers
« on: September 21, 2013, 06:36:20 PM »
I'm new here and was hoping someone would be able to help me ID an old shotgun I recently acquired.  I have pictures, but am not sure how to attach them to this post.  There are very few markings on it.  It is stamped Hercules and Pat. Feb 10-1914 on the left side.  Top of barrel is stamped Proof Tested 12 GA.  There is a matching number 56585 stamped on the under side of the barrel and receiver which I assume is the serial number.  On the under side of the forearm the number is 56579.  I thought this may be somewhat common among these older guns. 

From what I've read online, it seems it may have been manufactured by Stevens Model 215 or 225 and maybe sold by Montgomery Wards.  However, I don't see either of those stamped anywhere.  The other stamp I noticed is on the under side near the forearm.  It appears to be 4 circles that form almost a flower shape. 

I would love to hear from you if you can provide me with any information on this gun.  Also, I believe that it is safe to use modern ammo in this gun, but if you have any info on that, I would love to hear from you as well.



Offline Red Cent

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Re: Help ID Old SxS w/ Exposed Hammers
« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2013, 07:54:09 PM »
"The Hercules Model was mfg. in both USA and Canada by Cooey. The Hercules name was dropped in 1936 and became known as the "Iver Johnson Hammerless" until the end of production. Case colored frames were standard until 1936, blue frames were standard 1937-1943. A special run of Hercules Doubles was built in the 1930s for Montgomery Ward under the "Western Field" Model 53 nomenclature. All Western Field guns had a beavertail forearm, twin ivory sights, and recoil pad. Hercules 28 ga. SxS´s are extremely rare."

http://shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3422




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Offline Jayhawker

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Re: Help ID Old SxS w/ Exposed Hammers
« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2013, 10:37:31 PM »
Be sure you measure the chambers...you often find old SxSs are short-chambered...
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Re: Help ID Old SxS w/ Exposed Hammers
« Reply #3 on: Today at 04:23:56 PM »

Offline Sir Charles deMouton-Black

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Re: Help ID Old SxS w/ Exposed Hammers
« Reply #3 on: September 22, 2013, 10:38:32 AM »
I found this;

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_value_of_a_Wards_Hercules_51_double_barrel_shotgun

The hammerless guns seem to be attributed to Iver Johnson while this one is described by the wiki.answers writer as a Stevens 217. (others say Stevens 5100) Slewfoot is likely onto something.  We need more info and pictures.

p.s.  Finding lots of hits for hammerless doubles, or singles like this;  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CngIZOQVP0o

p.p.s.  No help here, but an interesting resource;

http://www.nramuseum.org/gun-info-research/store-brand-crossover-list-from-the-blue-book.aspx
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