Wards Hercules 12 ga. SXS

Pawildman · 10-25-2007, 09:29 PM

Went to an auction last night, several guns were up for sale. Mostly all junk, but a Wards Hercules 12 ga SXS was on the block. I didn't know anything about it other than I imagined it was sold by Wards or Montgomery/Wards years ago.
The wood was decent with normal handling marks for it's age, which I assumed was maybe 60 yrs. or so. The bluing, what was left, was getting the dark gray and plum patina. Several small rust marks on the barrels which were dirty inside, but looked very shootable.
I figured I'd see where I was if I could get it for $125. The bidding blew right past that, and stopped at $180. Was I right or wrong??

mibowhuntr · 10-31-2007, 11:47 AM

My first shotgun was wards hurcules 500 12 ga sxs my grandfather hand me down.Istill have it 33 yrs later to me the gun is priceless. Some day I want to have it completely refinished and put away in the takedown gun caseI made for it in wood shop in 7 th grade .

stalkingbear · 10-31-2007, 02:26 PM

Pawildman-that shotgun was made by manufacturer for store brand. Usually those guns ain't worth much in collectors value. I'll look it up later for ya but I myself wouldn't have paid over 100$ for it. Gun collecting is perhaps the most complex area of firearms sports as something that's worthless today,even compared to same exact model/serial #/specs,may shoot right thru roof in 10-20 years. I honestly don't believe there's a firearms expert on collecting that knows EVERY SINGLE firearm value.

Pawildman · 10-31-2007, 04:33 PM

Thanks, stalkingbear....was pretty sure I did the right thing there, but just wanted some validation. Most of the time the store brand guns just don't seem to bring as much as the actual producer's name. Thanks again........