I just received this gorgeous Merkel 301 in time for the opening of the Texas south zone next weekend. This is my first Merkel and is one of the most beautiful shotguns I've ever owned.

Looks to be a deep body Kerner-Anson variant and peddled by Stoeger post 1912? I assume it is a 12 bore?

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Yes sir, a 12, VR, Stoeger, 30s. What can you tell me about it? I know nothing, just what I like.

Um, not much without seeing the marks. Is it below serial nr. 42k or in excess? I'd send an inquiry to Gebrüder Merkel and get the dope.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

SN is 14224

Well, are you sure it is a Merkel? Is the monogram on the standing breech of the action & left side of the aft lug on the tubeset? I'd guess A.F. Stoeger to have been importing sporting weapons circa 1922 so I wonder if Merkel Nr. 14k is from the early 1920s?

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Jani has composed a guesstimate on Merkel dates:

10000 circa 1920
15654 8/1927(15444 - 5/1927)
17012 1929
18914 3/1931
21849 1935
34874 12/1951
36582 12/1952
40496 1956
48181 1958
59826 1/1964
71829 1969
77667 1971
107321 5/1987

http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbt...&PHPSESSID=

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Indeed a Gebrüder Merkel. The bulk of the marks are going to be above the serial number and bore stamp under the wooden side panels. I still think I'd send an inquiry to Gebrüder Merkel.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Thank you sir, I'm fairly competant at basic gunsmithing but I think I'll refrain from buggering the side panel screws!

All that is required is a long proper turnscrew. Just file one down that fits those screws and the turnscrew will always be for those or similar screws.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

A really nice Merkel! I also would ask Merkel as Raimey proposed.
Raimey, have you ever discovered something important beneath the side panels? I have my doubts, because important things on (german) guns always are visible without using any tools….. I think, there will be nothing except perhaps the Nitro Eagle...

Cheers,
Wolfgang

Wolfgang:
I have heard the visible phrase prior but I think that to be in context that the marks were to be visible on the tube and not hidden behind a rib, etc. I do not think the wooden side panels were installed when the sporting weapon experienced proof. I'm fairly confident that the bulk of the marks will be along the centre rib on the left side. Note the Crown over S on the left side of the top rib. This one really piques my interest in that there is a possibility that it may have experienced proof in later 1923 or early 1924 and I contend that if a datecode exists it will be found under the panel along with some mechanics initials. Many times the tube knitter's initials are at the forend hanger which would be on the lower tube in this case.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Raimey, maybe you are right.One has to look at! But I have my doubts...

Cheers Wolfgang

Oh, Wolfgang how I fancy a doubting Thomas. Your are correct that we are just 3 screws from the truth. I am also pretty confident that the proof facility didn't differentiate between O/Us with and without wooden side panels so I feel safe that there will be a regiment of marks nestled on each side of the left centre rib. Now I have seen some Austrian O/U offerings that wear the marks on the right side of the top tube & underside of the lower tubes.


Geyger O/U and note the Sl touchmark on the tubes.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

When I get back from hunting, I'll grind a screwdriver bit to fit.

Wolfgang,
Sometimes a gun was made with a single set of barrels and later had another set made( BDB,BBF,etc)and instead of a second forearm,the forearm was converted to 3 piece.In this case, the side panel could cover some original markings. "Bring Backs" are often missing second barrel sets.
Mike

Well,I'm really curious to see some examples of hidden stamps on a Merkel!
I have one of 1969 and will have a look next time,but still am a doubting Wolfgang...;-)

Cheers,
Wolfgang

Doubting Wolfgang, if you are correct, then Merkel would have had some prior agreement with the Suhl proof facility. For now, I'm not aware of any such agreement and the appropriate marks have to be there somewhere.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Fellows, the hunt did not go so well, only a few birds this year. The Merkel does shoot well though, had very good success with it, not choked much, may have been opened up at some point.

The slots on the screws holding the side panels are very thin, my Brownell's set does not have a bit that small and I am afraid to grind one down any further. I have buggered enough other guns lately.

fla3006,
You will likely have to make,or modify,a screwdriver for these screws. My German gunsmith friends made all their own screwdrivers( in old days, this was part of their training).Also in "clocking" these screws, they filed or sawed the slots themselves.Therefore, their own screwdrivers fit their own screw slots.If filed, the slots were often "v" shaped and easy for ill fit blade to slip out of( they were careful), if sawed ,not so bad.
Mike

I make all my gun - screwdrivers myself:

use any quality screwdriver
choose a driver that fills the length of the screw slot
if too wide, file to fit
place driver horizontally in a vise
file the front of the blade (about 1/16th deep)square
turn the driver around and do the same on the other side
turn and file until desired thickness is achieved

if you know how to use a file (two-handed) this will take
5 minutes and give you a 'bespoke' driver for that screw
(I use a 3/4" wide flat file for better handling)

regards from England
Gunter
NRA Life 1974

I agree with Gunter, unless the screws have a "V"slot.
Mike

Raimey,

nice to see how the stamps are placed:

http://www.egun.de/market/item.php?id=5092147

Cheers,
(still doubting)Wolfgang ;-)

Yeah, but that's a different time period when the majority of the marks were on the extractor. I don't recall if it occurred at the time of the 1939 rules change or earlier. I'll dig a bit & see.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Another beauty:
http://www.gunsinternational.com/MERKEL-...un_id=100492186