Hercules 16ga S/S with ext. hammers

mj971

January 19, 2010 16:36

Trying to get information on this gun. What I have found on the internet so far doesn't match the markings on my gun. Here are the markings.

Left side of receiver below chamber = HERCULES all capital letters
Left side of receiver below left trigger = PAT. FEB.19-1914
On the receiver below the chambers = 56916 on the left side (serial #), M on the right side, and a P within an upside down triangle on the left side towards the firing pin
Barrels = 56916 below the chamber, J.P. on the block below the ejector and a K on the front pin where the forearm locks on
Top of the left barrel = 16 gauge
Forearm = 56916 on the metal plate holding the spring latch, 56916 is also stamped into the wood on the bottom of the forearm.

My Dad bought this gun used in the early 40's.

I have found a lot about the Wards Hercules but so far the markings on mine haven't matched the descriptions of these guns. Found one comment about a Hercules being imported from Belgium but no other information.

Thanks for the help

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  Ned Fall

  January 19, 2010 17:29

  I looked in two reference books that list over 1,000 names both domestic and foreign and could find only one listing that uses the name HERCULES but there were two makers. J. Stevens Arms Company used the name on doubles and Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works and J. Stevens both used the name on singles, all made for and sold by Montgomery Ward. There is no listing for a foreign made gun using the name. However,not all names were recorded. Look on the bottom barrels for any proof marks.

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  mj971

  January 25, 2010 17:05

  There are no other markings on the barrels. What I described in the first post is all there is.
  
  Mike

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