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i was passed on a Wards Hurcules Model 50 Side by side 12 guage shotgun. Its pretty old being my greatgrandmas. i was wondering if anyone knows about how old this gun could possibly be? thanks

The Hercules was made by Iver Johnson for Montgumery Wards. Production probably started just before 1920 and went until the early 1940s. The "Hercules" name was dropped around 1936 and was known as the Iver Johnson Hammerless. But a special run of Hercules guns were run in the 1930s under the Western Field Model 53 name. Does yours actually have the name "Hercules" on the gun? If so, it was probably last made in 1936.

yes it actually says on the gun "Ward Hurcules Model 50" so that would mean sometime before 1936 your saying?

All True, what Jimmy says, except your not taking into account that it it is marked Model 50.. Wards did sell Iver Johnsons, Iver Johnson did make the Hercules.. But not the model 50..In the coss references a Hercules Model 50 is listed as a Stevens Model 5100.. That wasn't good enough for me so I looked in the safe. My .410, Marker Hecules Model 50, is definitely a Stevens, although I'm not sure it's a 5100..Easiest way to tell, an Iver Johnson has a removeable Trigger Plate, the triggers on the Stevens come right thru the frame, which has a solid bottom. Also I believe the Iver Johnson has a tapered top tang, the Stevens is the same width all the way... MDC

thanks christian i think you are correct saying it is was manufactured as a stevens 5100 for montgomery ward ad was marked "Ward Hercules Model 50". so what would that mean about the possible age of the gun. older or newer?

Unfortunately, for these guns, there are no factory records available. Also, Stevens acquired other companies and were themselves acquired. It seems no one was particularly concerned about maintaining records of a defunct company.

If it were a Stevens then, if the company name is marked "J. Stevens Arms Co", it was made after 1920 when Stevens became a division of Savage. Sometime in the 1940's the "J" was dropped.

If you are concerned about age because of possible safety issues, they don't equate. Each gun has to be evaluated in it's present state. The chambers, barrel walls and chokes have to measured. Wear on the lugs, hinge pin etc all come into the equation. You would have to send the gun to a good gunsmith who knows sxs shotguns.

If you intend to shoot steel shot with it, do not do it. If it needs some repair(s), it is not worth it. These guns were made to appeal to a low end price point. They have no collector value to speak of. As a general knock about gun, they are great.

Thanks but its more or less just curiousity.