Montgomery Ward 16 ga sxs

MatCat58 · December 3, 2008, 11:03 AM

I recently purchased a Montgomery Ward Hercules 16 ga sxs from a little mom and pops gun store out in the country, the previous owner had hacked the barrels off at 19 inches and since this is a 16 ga I would much rather use it for rabbit hunting with my little brother than for home defense. Based on what I have been able to find on the internet I believe that barrels from either a Stevens 315, Savage 315, or a Stevens 515 could fit it. What I can't figure out is which ones I need or if they are all the same.

The only markings on the gun are:
Hercules
MONTGOMERY WARD & CO
on the left side of the lock

and
PAT. APR 20-1915

as well as
16 GAUGE
on top of the left barrel

there is a matching serial number on all three pieces as well .

Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to offer.

gunokie · December 3, 2008, 05:15 PM

Why Bother with new barrels? 19" is a very optimal length with modern powder and wads, and it will handle and point faster with the shorter bbls for bunny hunting.
I'd take it to a smith and have the muzzles squared and shoot it as is with 2¾" #6's or #4's if you have jack rabbits or swampers.
You could also have the smith check to see if the barrels are thick enough have screw in choke tubes installed. I betcha a nickle you could have that done for what a set of bbl;s would cost!
JMHO
BT

elrod · December 3, 2008, 07:06 PM

Have you looked under the forearm for markings?

December 3, 2008, 11:03 AM	#1
MatCat58 Junior Member Join Date: December 1, 2008 Posts: 1	Montgomery Ward 16 ga sxs I recently purchased a Montgomery Ward Hercules 16 ga sxs from a little mom and pops gun store out in the country, the previous owner had hacked the barrels off at 19 inches and since this is a 16 ga I would much rather use it for rabbit hunting with my little brother than for home defense. Based on what I have been able to find on the internet I believe that barrels from either a Stevens 315, Savage 315, or a Stevens 515 could fit it. What I can't figure out is which ones I need or if they are all the same. The only markings on the gun are: Hercules MONTGOMERY WARD & CO on the left side of the lock and PAT. APR 20-1915 as well as 16 GAUGE on top of the left barrel there is a matching serial number on all three pieces as well . Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to offer.

December 3, 2008, 07:06 PM	#3
elrod Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2007 Location: Heart of the heart of Dixie Posts: 234	Have you looked under the forearm for markings? __________________ Freedom ain't free!

December 3, 2008, 05:15 PM	#2
gunokie Junior Member Join Date: July 30, 2008 Posts: 11	Why Bother with new barrels? 19" is a very optimal length with modern powder and wads, and it will handle and point faster with the shorter bbls for bunny hunting. I'd take it to a smith and have the muzzles squared and shoot it as is with 2¾" #6's or #4's if you have jack rabbits or swampers. You could also have the smith check to see if the barrels are thick enough have screw in choke tubes installed. I betcha a nickle you could have that done for what a set of bbl;s would cost! JMHO BT