[Drew Hause]

The .410 small frame double was most likely introduced about 1925.
2 1/2 chambers 1925-1934; 3 inch chambers 1935 – end of production.

The first catalog listing I have is catalog 27A (1927). it is listed as having 26 inch barrels and both barrel are full choked. The next catalog (1932) the 410 "Hercules Grade" is listed as a separate model but still chambered for the 2 1/2 inch shell. This is the year the 410 SKEET-ER was listed as having 3 inch chambers.

The next catalog I have is 1938 and all 410 bore guns single and doubles are listed as having 3 inch chambers. Most likely the change to 3 inch chambers on all 410 bore came about 1935. The left barrels was marked “CHAMBERED FOR 3in SHELLS”

SN280XX and not marked Hercules and with a slightly different action profile

The 410 Hercules grade was a very limited production gun most likely just a few hundred more than the 410 Skeet-er.

All doubles were serial numbered in the same series.


Iver Johnson Hammerless (Hercules) Hammer Forged Model--------about 1936 – still offered in the 1948 Stoeger catalog
Same as Hercules Grade except left side of frame marked IVER JOHNSON HAMMER FORGED and right side of frame marked with company name and address.

It is not clear when doubles production ended. A July, 1940 Hardware Age magazine ad still listing the doubles

The 1948 Stoeger catalog, still listing Hercules Grade and Super Trap Doubles

 

[Drew Hause]

A special run of double guns were manufactured for Montgomery Wards & Co. in the 1930’s and marked “WARDS Western Field MODEL 53”
https://doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=389244

Red Head Wards Western Field pad

The Iver Johnson SKEET-ER was introduced in 1933 but I've leave that for another thread

 

[Drew Hause]

Iver Johnson double non-ejector schematic