Stevens 215 Double (Wards Hercules)

[Kipling79]

Hello,

It has been a long time since I have been on these boards, but am going through my collection prior to a move and found my old Stevens 215 12ga. This is a Wards Hercules model, stamped "Riverside Arms" rather than "Stevens". I am once again determined to find a forend and forend iron for the gun.

So, I figured I would try again. Is Numerich still the best option for finding parts, or are there any new players in the game? I searched all over the internet and local gun shows and found nothing myself.


It is funny, I am always told this shotgun is virtually worthless because tens of thousands were made, but I can't even find one part or even a parts gun out of the tens of thousands out there. :banghead:

 

[bangswitch]

Are you sure it's a "215"? Numrich has parts details on the 225 double, and the 315, which is very similar to the 311, which was the most popular Stevens double made. Maybe the number is 215 because it is a Wards, or Hercules model, but my guess is that it is the same as the 315 in terms of parts compatibility. As for the specific part, some they have, others not. If I remember correctly, the 311 series had two different types of fore end iron; the differences are in how it fits to the wood, I believe.

If it is basically the same as the Savage/Stevens 311-312-315 series, it's easily worth $300 if it is in working order and not rusted out. I am always searching pawn shops and gun shows for Savage- made Fox shotguns, which are also basically the same action, so I see quite a few Stevens 311-312-315's and the prices I've seen run from $300-$500 on them, with Fox guns going for $450-$800 in average condition. If your gun were a .410 double, it would be worth almost twice what the 12 and 20 gauge go for.

Does your needed iron look anything like the one in this picture? This one is for a pre-'68 Fox B 20 gauge. Sorry it isn't detached from the fore end for a better view.

 

[oneounceload]

It is funny, I am always told this shotgun is virtually worthless because tens of thousands were made, but I can't even find one part or even a parts gun out of the tens of thousands out there

Simple - either everyone is still holding onto theirs, or they were all thrown away decades ago. Your best bet is to print off a schematic or a shop drawing so you can have a part made if need be. This is the main downside to buying very old used guns for cheap - you take a chance on parts reliability and availability

 

[Kipling79]

Bangswitch: All of my research so far has indicated it is a Stevens 215 (if the resource I found was correct). The Stevens "expert" there showed details which differentiated different models. According to his description, because my trigger guard doesn't split and curve inward directly behind the rear trigger (as it does in your photo), and because there isn't a screw in the receiver above the coil springs, it was determined to be a 215. Here is my source: http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?topic=40720.0

I found the 215 on Numrich, but it was under "Double Barrel Hammer gun No 215", way at the bottom of the list, instead of just "Model 215".

But yes, the iron and forend I am looking for is very similar to what you have in your photo.

OneOunce: I appreciate the input. I am hoping I don't have to go that route, but I may have to it seems.

Thanks

 

[loose noose]

Have you tried Jack First, or Bob's Gun Parts, I've had the best luck on discontinued antiqued guns at Dick Williams Gun Shop Inc. 4985 Cole Rd. Saginaw Michigan 48601, with a phones number of 989-777-1240, I've found the people there to be very helpful and friendly.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

How much can you purchase one used off the internet for? Could buy one with wood then resell the one you bought without the wood. Likely cheapest option I think.

 

[KevininPa]

How about Boyds?

I managed to get a buttstock for a '30s something Savage model 21. Wasn't on their site. Had to send a separate inquiry. They have a box for that. Good Luck with your search!

 

[Kipling79]

Thank you for all the responses.

Just by chance, after ten years of on & off searching, some Stevens 215 parts showed up on ebay just after starting this thread.

I won a complete forend assembly for $55. (Would have been $80 in partrs from Numrich if they even had the parts).

I also won a 30" barrel for the gun. I have long 32" barrels on mine, which seems like a rare option not listed anywhere. I am debating this still, but am thinking of cutting the new non-matching barrels so I can finally have a good coach gun. Would that be objectionable?

Again, thanks for the responses. I will probably be back on the boards again as I still need to do some repairs such as pinning the stock, bedding the stock to the receiver, fitting the new foreiron, and possibly lifting some dents out of the wood.

 

[bangswitch]

Do you know when this gun was made? I sort of like the looks of a few dings in a stock, maybe some fading in the bluing, on a really old gun. Sort of a statement that "yep, I've been around, walked the walk". I'd be more concerned about function, tight lockup, etc. Does the extra set of barrels fit well to your action?

The 20 Gauge Fox I posted pictures of, I found was made in 1950 (date code verified). I decided not to pursue a restoration; the finish on the wood is intact, but there are quite a few dings from use, and I did pin the stock in two places, where it had slight splits next to the receiver, but it works perfectly, so all I'm going to do is keep it clean and oiled, and shoot it.

Glad you found the part you needed, and the extras are icing on the cake.

 

[Kipling79]

I am not exactly sure when the gun was made, but know it was after 1914 and before 1932. The guns patent number is from 1914, and I have been told production of this model ended around the great depression.

I agree that the fit and function is much more important. I do not have the new foreiron or barrels in my hands yet, but am hoping they are a close match.

The finish is not original, unfortunately, so there isn't much to save. When I found the gun 10 years ago the receiver and barrels were extremely rusty with little original finish left. I used fine steel wool to remove the worst of it and some touch up blueing to fill in the light spots, then soaked her in oil while stored away. The gun refuses to stop rusting though. Im worried that it might need to be taken down to bare metal and start over.

As far as the wood goes, the buttstock was pretty weathered, and will probably try to stain it to match the new forend. Since I have never lifted dents before, leaving them might just be the thing to do.