I impulsively purchased this shotgun online yesterday for a decent price. Bid low, as I thought the pad was a replacement and had some ideas about whittling down the beavertail and stock so my daughters could use this shotgun with 7/8oz loads.
Then I found this:
"A special run of Hercules Doubles was built in the 1930s for Montgomery Ward under the "Western Field" Model 53 nomenclature. All Western Field guns had a beavertail forearm, twin ivory sights, and recoil pad."
No idea if that means it more valuable because of rarity, or less because of the Wards name. Either way it appears original and more digging before I start filing on it.
I am trying to determine the value in comparison to one with the Iver Johnson name.
I have bought and sold a couple of IJ Hercules and know that the value will not be great, but also don't want to alter something that has apparently survived intact when their is likely a collector who would value it.
