doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Iver Johnson Hercules 12g SxS

Hello all
I have a few questions about my "Pat-Apr.1915 Iver Johnson Cycle and Bicycle Wrks" Hercules 12 SXS,It was my G.Grandfathers,and I still use it to this day to shoot trap.
last year I had a B-Stock Blowout "about a 1/2 inch wide" chunk of wood right next to the Box,well just to say "90+yrs of oil seeping into the wood made it blowout,well I did have the stock repaired oil removed/heat dryed etc..,and still shootin 22/25...Ok theres that bit of info..now the questions..
First - On my barrels "Right side" it is double stamped "and offset" where it says "Hercules grade,--Is this a oddity? + why would the barrel be double stamped on just one side?

2nd - Is there anyone who will cut a new B-stock and forestock
with a higher grade wood without costing a arm and a leg?with a few custom features...

3rd - Anyone have pics or a link for the IJ's hercules Engraving that was offered when you bought it new?

Well a long read,but lookin to either fixer up and pass along to my son,or to buy a higher grade SxS that will have a unique feel and look while apprecating in value.....?..what to do..

The Iver Johnson line of doubles included some features which well known makes didn't like chopper-lump barrels.





In addition to the basic Hercules, I.J. made two clay target specific doubles, the well known and popular SKEET-ER which are seen fairly often with dealers asking userous prices.



And, the much less known and seldom found Iver Johnson SUPERTRAP.



Wenig would probably be the best bet for a reasonable priced new stock for your gun. In The Double Gun Journal, Volume Nineteen, Issue 4, Colin McLagan has a nice article on the SKEET-ER which shows an engraved gun. Other then that gun, I've not seen any references to Iver Johnson regularly offering engraved guns.