Hercules 12ga - S/S double.

[Kipling79]

So, I was wanting to make a coach gun a while back, and the gun-store guy only had one double barrel 12 that was cheap enough to buy/good enough to restore.

It was a Hercules, and he told me it was actually a Stevens 311. But, according to Numerich's parts diagrams, my shotgun is identical to the Stevens 311 EXCEPT mine has exposed hammers. Numerich hasn't yet uploaded skematics of any Stevens that fit this description, so I am lost.

Question: Does anyone know which Stevens model is basically a 311 but with exposed hammers?

Thanks

 

[rcmodel]

Hercules was a trade-name for shotguns made by Iver Johnson for Mongomery Ward Co. from 1918-1943.

If it's a hammer gun, I would suspect Damascus or Cast Steel barrels, and have it inspected for safety with modern ammo by a qualified gunsmith.

Many of these old guns are not safe to shoot with modern ammo unless the barrel steel is up to snuff.


rcmodel

 

[Kipling79]

Thanks,

The gun has been looked at by a couple experienced guys, but not sure if they were "qualified", so I will try to find a 2nd opinion.

The consensus so far is that the barrels are solid (not wrapped), and I actually shot modern loads through it once... scary now that I think about it.


Well, from my research, it seems that Stevens "may" have made a couple department store models named "Hercules", as this site suggests, unless they are simply reffering to parts compatibilty. http://www.gun-parts.com/savagestocks/

My gun was cross referenced with a stevens, and I have seen no Iver Johnson parts on Numrich wich are cross referenced to Stevens... so I am quite baffled. Thats what I get for buying a 7o year old shotgun I guess.

 

[Kipling79]

Ignore this post... Just posting again so I can add "email" notification.

 

[scout26]

If you can, post some pictures, and don't take a hacksaw to it........


Listen to your elders.....

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=322909

 

[Kipling79]

I appreciate the imput, and will try to get some pics around christmas. I have plenty of time to decide whether or not to actually cut it down, since I have to identify the gun first, then buy the front iron. By the time I identify it and get the parts, I am sure I will know if it has any value whatsoever that could be destroyed by turning it into a coach.

Thanks again

 

[Kipling79]

Finally, Pictures!

Ok, here is my Shotgun which I am trying to find parts for. (mainly the forend iron, springs, and correct/matching wood)

The pictures dont show it clearly, but there is some nice checkering on the handgrip.

Printed on Barrels: HERCULES, Kingsland Gun Co. St. Louis.
Printed on Reciever: Pat. Feb. 10-1914
Barrell Length: 32"
Gauge: 12 ga.

Someone cross refrenced this model to a Stevens model years ago, but I lost the paper with the exact model written on it, and I am also wondering about the competence of that reference. Hoping there is some help out there...

 

[Kipling79]

Additional Info: I just did a google search for the patent number on my gun and discovered it is attached to another gun manufacturer as well:

Riverside Arms C. Chicapee Falls, Mass. Pat. Feb.10, 1914

 

[rcmodel]

Take your pick!

Kingsland Gun Company: Trade name used by the H. & D. Folsom Arms Company on shotguns made for the Geller, Ward and Hasner Hardware Company of St. Louis, Missouri.

Hercules:Trade name used by the Iver Johnson Arms and Cycle Works on shotguns made for the Montgomery Ward & Company of Chicago.

HERCULES: Tradename used by J. Stevens Arms Company on shotguns.


rcmodel

 

[rcmodel]

Now you are getting somewhere!

RIVERSIDE ARMS CO: Trade-name used by Stevens Arms & Tool Company.


rcmodel

 

[MCgunner]

My Hercules is a single shot Iver Johnson and I've fired plenty of heavy 16 gauge loads through it as a kid. It's a steel barrel, not twist steel. I'd be shocked if any twist steel barrels were offered much after 1900 after the acceptance of smokeless powder. I don't know that Iver Johnson ever built a side by side. Wards might have gone to Stevens for that one.

 

[Dave McCracken]

MC, IJ did build doubles.