Originally Posted by
clubman
It's certainly possible that it's earlier. A Google image search of '1950s Hercules bike' reveal mostly painted fenders with chrome usually appearing toward 1960. The problem with Hercs is getting the year correct when when many had undated Hercules 3 speed hubs. No matter, nice bikes regardless of year.
I have two Hercules. The first one I got had a bunch of replacement parts on it with a Japanese replacement rear hub. With no special attributes to give me a year other than the badge saying Birmingham it’s likely late 50’s. My ‘53 has a 1953 dated Hercules hub and has a what I have learned is a one year only paint scheme that was for the celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Of course a lot can happen to a bike over 60+ years.