Wards Hercules Model 10

[76shuvlinoff]

I have a Wards Hercules 12 ga single shot (circa 1930s-40s?) with a 30" barrel and a very short stock in the back of my gun locker. When I was 12 in 1972 it was the first shotgun I ever fired and has been in the family longer than I have.

Although it has not been fired in years it still locks up tight. The butt plate has a big chunk out of it, the wood is chipped and has seen better days the metal is somewhat pitted and there is no bluing left on it.... at all.

Interestingly enough there is some kind of scuff inside the barrel at 19" and in the right light there is the ever so slightest bulge in the same spot.

If it was yours what would you do with it? Leave it be? Try to save it? Cut it to 18"?

- Mark

 

[Ron James]

Version of the Stevens Model 94, Value in the descried condition maybe 50 dollars. What to do with it? whatever your heart desires

 

[76shuvlinoff]

What to do with it? whatever your heart desires

Damn, I was afraid someone would say that....

 

[76shuvlinoff]

If I have it cut how is a bead installed? I have some skills but would I need to take it to a smith?

 

[Bud Tugly]

Sounds like a perfect candidate for cutting down. I cut an old H&R using a hack saw and had no difficulties, but I'd cut it to 18 1/2 or 19" just to be give yourself a little margin so you don't make it illegal.

I didn't bother with a bead on mine since I used it as a grouse gun and the bead was irrelevant.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

I cut her to 18 1/2 and was filled with dread as soon as I stepped back, I didn't like the assembled looks. I went to run a few rounds through it and found somewhere along that way the firing pin was snapped. Hand fabbed a new pin and she throws a 7 to 8" pattern at 7 long paces. Now I'm starting to like it!

I re-installed the bead and painted all the bare pitted metal flat black, everyone knows black is tactikool right? It'll do for now.

Makes a nice close quarters cannon. Kicks like hell. Had me grinning until I ran out of 00.

Just for looks I need to find or fab a new butt plate, this is not something I'm going to shoulder as it's a bit light.

 

[rcmodel]

I need to find or fab a new butt plate

How about a Limb-Saver recoil pad.

It will not only help with the recoil, but add some of the missing stock length back so it fits you better. Combined, it should make for a much more pleasant shooting gun.

rc

 

[76shuvlinoff]

Thanks. I'll look around, that limbsaver pad probably retails for more than this old beast is worth. I also think a butt cuff to add a few rounds to the package wouldn't hurt either.

 

[rcmodel]

Well, any recoil pad would add needed length and kick less then a hard butt plate.

rc

 

[76shuvlinoff]

agree 100%