trying to find out about my shotgun any info please

[toonmouse]

my grandpa gave me an old hercules 16 gauge single shot. its condition is good except a little chip out of the stock and a loose hammer spring. It will still pinch a dollar in the break so tight you can pick the gun up by it. I still shoot it ocasionally. I even have a box of paper shells for it. No i dont shoot them though. I dont think im gonna shoot it anymore though.
any how under the forarm that comes off to dissasemble it has 45198 with a Y below it. If you open the break on the right side of the lug i think its called it has E.C. P.T. stamped into it. It says barrel and lug forged in one piece on the barrel. Can anyone feed me some insight and stats on this gun. maybe what it may be worth. Thank you much.

[backstrap]

The gun you talking about was made by Iver Johnson. I'm not sure about the price I would guess between 295 and 600. Heres a link that may be helpful I've found info on other guns I wanted there before.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/Search/Categ ... otguns.htm

[Bowhunters]

Yeah, the 16gau. were made by Iver Johnson Co. first for Wards and son's in the 1920's - 1930's and then later for Montgomerey Wards in the 1940's, there were also 12, 20, 28gau shotguns made but by different companies for the Hercules line of guns.

From what i've seen its probably worth less than what backstrap mentioned unless maybe yours is in pristine condition, I saw one on a gun site for sale and it was priced at around $150.