Hercules 410 SxS

[confederatemule]

I have a 410 SxS double barrel shotgun. I have owned it since 1953. It was my first gun. It was the gun I reached for unless I was going deer hunting.
My questions are; "When was it manufactured?" "Who made it?" "In good condition, what is it worth?"
I am sorry, but, I don't have pictures.
On the left barrel is stamped: "410 guage"
On the left side of the action[?] is stamped: "HERCULES"
On the right side of the action[?] is stamped: "pat. Apr. 20, 1915"
On the forearm wood, forearm metal, action body and the part of the barrel that joins the action body is stamped: "X21055"
It has automatic ejectors. It has two triggers. It has ivory bead sights, small and large.
It has checkering on the wood.
The barrels are 26" long.
The hammers are hidden.

I apologize for not calling the different parts by their correct name. Maybe it ain't too vague.

Mule

[BillM]

Well--the good news is it's easy to find info on Hercules shotguns.

The bad news is that the Hercules name was VERY popular!

Iver Johnson made a Hercules .410.

Maybe both Iver johnson and Stevens made one for Montgomery
Ward that was marked Hercules.

I found reference to Cooey in Canada making a Hercules shotgun.

There were evidently some Belgian shotguns marked Hercules.

SO---Does your gun say "Iver Johnson", Montgomery Ward",
"Stevens" or "Cooey" on it? Does it have any proof marks? These
are small symbols stamped into the metal. Usually on the bottom of
the barrels, sometimes also on the frame of the gun?

[b.goforth]

the iver johnson made double barrel shotguns were actually marked "Hercules Grade". i believe this one is a stevens manufactured one. patent 1,136,247 dated april 20, 1915 issued to G.S. Lewis was assigned to Stevens.

bill

[confederatemule]

Originally Posted by BillM

SO---Does your gun say "Iver Johnson", Montgomery Ward",
"Stevens" or "Cooey" on it? Does it have any proof marks? These
are small symbols stamped into the metal. Usually on the bottom of
the barrels, sometimes also on the frame of the gun?

BillM, The only markings, other than what I listed earlier, are; an "M" stamped on the tab on the bottom of the barrels that the forearm clips to. The other mark is a square with a short line [dash] extending from the middle of each side of the square. It is located on the frame where the forearm joins the frame.

That is it nothing else.

Mule

[confederatemule]

b_goforth.
Bill, the only markings, or words, are what I have listed in my two earlier posts.
I know it ain't much to go on. Sorry.

Mule

[b.goforth]

if it doesn't say "hercules grade" it is not an iver johnson. the patent date listed is for patent number 1,136,247 issued to G.S. Lewis and assigned to J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co., with would indicate it was it was made by them.

as to the date of manufacture i just don't know as savage continued to use the stevens patents after they purchased stevens about 1930 or so.
bill