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Ward Hercules

Printed From: The BaitShop
Category: FireArms, et cetera
Forum Name: Shotguns, Shotgun Ammunition and Shotshell Reloading
Forum Description: Scattergun afficionados meet here!
URL: http://www.baitshopboyz.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=22011
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 22:37
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Topic: Ward Hercules
Posted By: Bluetick1955
Subject: Ward Hercules
Date Posted: 09 December 2011 at 09:28
Got an Old Ward Hercules 12ga single shot that that my Dad had. Gave to me about 40 yrs ago.

Was this from Montgomery Ward?



Replies:
Posted By: d4570
Date Posted: 09 December 2011 at 10:01

I found this on the net.

Looks like most of the value is sentimental,sorry.

 

"The "Hercules" was the trade name used by the Iver Johnson Arms and Cycle Works on shotguns made for the Montgomery Ward Co. Of Chicago."

"The "Hercules" made for Wards was a copy of the Iver Johnson "Champion" model which is a single shot shotgun with exposed hammer. They were made between 1909 and 1956."

 



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Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box


Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 09 December 2011 at 11:02

As a kid I owned one of those singles.  We called them "Mickey Wards".  they were heavy but very well made.  I had the sort of "standard model" with a 30" full chamber.  Never saw a modified one, but it sure would have made it easier for me to learn on flying game.  Anything My shot pattern happened to hit was ground meat.  The neighborhood guys also like to hunt with high brass #4 (and I followed their lead) that too also probably added to the carnage and my often sore shoulder.  Traded it on a Kessler bolt action 3 shot 12 ga.

I'm sure yours has some good memories.

Actually it makes an excellent turkey gun, you will only need/get one shot.



Posted By: Irish Bird Dog
Date Posted: 09 December 2011 at 15:24
  We called them "Mickey Wards". so said the Bear...

my grandpa always called them "Monkey Wards"......meaning the Montgomery Wards stores.....

I have a "Monkey Wards" SS 12ga that has a solid rib with center bead & white front bead, schnabel forearm tip and checkering on pistol grip and forearm.  It was made by Iver Johnson.  It is a darn good clay pigion buster from the string pulled trius type traps anyway.  I figure it was a predeceser to the BT-99


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Irish Bird Dog

NRA Life/Endowment

2nd Amendment Supporter


Posted By: Wing master
Date Posted: 09 December 2011 at 15:28

Sounds kinda like JC Higgins guns made fro Sears And Roebuck. I have a 30-06 built on a FN Mauser action with a High Standard barrel. Not the most glamorus gun, but it is very well built and since it was my dads it has a lot of sentimental value.

I would sugest taking it hunting once in a while and then passing it on to a family member. Just make sure to pass a few memories with it.

Wing master



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I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.


Posted By: Irish Bird Dog
Date Posted: 09 December 2011 at 17:21
Originally posted by Wing master Wing master wrote:

Sounds kinda like JC Higgins guns made fro Sears And Roebuck. I have a 30-06 built on a FN Mauser action with a High Standard barrel. Not the most glamorus gun, but it is very well built and since it was my dads it has a lot of sentimental value.

I would sugest taking it hunting once in a while and then passing it on to a family member. Just make sure to pass a few memories with it.

Wing master


I read recently that Sears & Roebuck owned a big part of High Standard at one time and that may be why lots of Sears' guns were made by HS.  as well as others too.  that FN Mauser you have is a fine  piece of firearm.


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Irish Bird Dog

NRA Life/Endowment

2nd Amendment Supporter


Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 10 December 2011 at 02:10

those early "big Box" stores  (actually catalog stores) had some nice stuff; including low end items.  Sears had some nice antonia Zoli over and unders.  I had a beautiful one, that I recently gave to my brother for turkey hunting.

To bad the '68 gun law and public opinion pushed them out of the gun business.



Posted By: CB900F
Date Posted: 10 December 2011 at 04:56

Fella's;

Now there's a thought:  How much money could the gummint save if GCA 68 were repealed?  In these tough times, sacrifices must be made, I realize that.  But, in the spirit of bipartisan cooperation, I think gun owners throughout the country would not only approve repealing the measure, but would wholeheartedly volunteer $10.00 more dollars a year in deficit reduction surtax if the BATF's budget were then cut by 50%.  Which should be entirely possible if GCA 68 went away.

Whaddaya think guys? 

 900F



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Birth certificate!? He don't need no steenkink birth certificate!!


Posted By: Wing master
Date Posted: 10 December 2011 at 05:58

Originally posted by Irish Bird Dog Irish Bird Dog wrote:


I read recently that Sears & Roebuck owned a big part of High Standard at one time and that may be why lots of Sears' guns were made by HS.  as well as others too.  that FN Mauser you have is a fine  piece of firearm.
[/QUOTE]

Thats interesting, I didn't know that. It is a great gun. The fact that it has "Sears and Roebuck" stamped on the barrel keeps the price down so us normal people can afford to have a couple of them.

Wing master



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I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.


Posted By: Wing master
Date Posted: 10 December 2011 at 06:05

900f,

I would be happy to send in my $10.00.

It kinda sucks that we would have to "buy" our rights back.

Wing master



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I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.


Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 10 December 2011 at 07:22

Off the top of my head (the part with little or no hair, IIRC) '68 made guns have serial numbers, and outlawed mail order sales, made the 21 yr old restriction on handguns, 18 for rifle/shotguns/ammo, required FFL dealers, and as a good will gesture to the Winchester/S&W people ban import of military surplus guns (and SN specials).  The big impact on Wards/Sears/penneys was the mail orders and the military rifle sales.  Winchester was part of Olin Mathesion at that time and Remington was part of Dupont, big defense contractors with VN heating up.  the retail power of these giants was being hurt by SMLE, Mauser, etc.

For the most part it struck at foreign and low cost guns (strongly supported by US gunmakers) and made law what  a lot of what states already had into FEDERAL Laws.

Inside congress it was intended to be a control on Blacks and other minorities, and Federal power take over.



Posted By: CB900F
Date Posted: 10 December 2011 at 10:03

Fella's;

And, as the law was initially enacted, you had to register your purchase of ammunition.  I can remember having to sign the log sheet when buying .22 rimfire ammo when I got back home after being overseas in the Army.

900F



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Birth certificate!? He don't need no steenkink birth certificate!!


Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 10 December 2011 at 11:32

Should have added Western Auto stores as another supplier of H.Standard and H&R guns under their own labels.

IBD, now that you mention it it was "Monkey Wards" we called it.  My short term memory and my long term memory are shot.  Also what ever the name was of the memory in between.

Now that we have lived with it for 45 years, those restrictions seem 'normal'.



Posted By: Irish Bird Dog
Date Posted: 10 December 2011 at 13:51
Originally posted by Wing master Wing master wrote:

Originally posted by Irish Bird Dog Irish Bird Dog wrote:


I read recently that Sears & Roebuck owned a big part of High Standard at one time and that may be why lots of Sears' guns were made by HS.  as well as others too.  that FN Mauser you have is a fine  piece of firearm.

Thats interesting, I didn't know that. It is a great gun. The fact that it has "Sears and Roebuck" stamped on the barrel keeps the price down so us normal people can afford to have a couple of them.



Wing master

[/QUOTE]


SEE in blue below the note about Sears and High Standard" relationship.....

The parts listed in this color are additions to the regular published listings, from personal observation or information from others

Sears Roebuck & Co. had High Standard manufacture many firearms under their JC Higgins name (as Sears owned a good size part of High Standard back then).

This material above compiled from Savage Arms, Jack First & Gun Parts Corp.  plus personal observances
If you find any discrepancies or additional information, please advise us by clicking mailto:parts@wisnersinc.com -   -

mailto:parts@wisnersinc.com - - http://www.wisnersinc.com/additional_info/store_brand_house_ guns.htm

check out to find out all about "store" brand guns.....



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Irish Bird Dog

NRA Life/Endowment

2nd Amendment Supporter


Posted By: Irish Bird Dog
Date Posted: 10 December 2011 at 13:53
Originally posted by Bluetick1955 Bluetick1955 wrote:

Got an Old Ward Hercules 12ga single shot that that my Dad had. Gave to me about 40 yrs ago.

Was this from Montgomery Ward?


info from "store brand/house guns..............
Hercules:  Trade name used by the Iver Johnson Arms and Cycle Works on shotguns made for the Montgomery Ward and Company of Chicago.


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Irish Bird Dog

NRA Life/Endowment

2nd Amendment Supporter


Posted By: Bluetick1955
Date Posted: 11 December 2011 at 11:34
Thanks Irish,

Wasn't concerned with value. My Dad came through the Depression one of 9 kids, dirt poor. fought in WW2 (B24's). Got married and home burned. Lost everything. I sure it was a treasure to him. I doubt anybody has the $$ to buy from me

THX



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