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5 members (bushveld, 67galaxie, 3 invisible),
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,763 Likes: 8
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,763 Likes: 8 |
I finaly received my prewar Gebrüder Merkel O/U double rifle from Germany today. Proof marks on action are Crown/U and Eagle, but funny thing is that I cannot find proof marks on barrels. Is it possible that they are hidden under wood fences? What I do see on barrels includes Merkel factory inscriptions, 8x57 J.R., BÖHLER STAHL, serial number, plus some letters. Serial number is 21849, what year would that be? Thanks, Jani
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Joined: Jan 2002
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
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Hello all, Here is a photo of said Merkel that Jani sent: JC
"...it is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance." Charles Darwin
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,763 Likes: 8
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,763 Likes: 8 |
Well, a friend was here today and he did find a proof mark on the barrels: a badly struck eagle, actually only about 1/4 of the eagle as found on the receiver. Still no visible date, so I'm eager to hear from gentlemen who might have a dated pre-war Merkel in similar serial number range. Thanks in advance for any clue about dating my Merkel described above. Kind regards, Jani
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,307
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,307 |
You may find there are proof marks under the two narrow "strips" of wood above the usual forearm, that make up the "three piece" forearm. I guess that's what you term "wood fences." Yes, try there.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,763 Likes: 8 |
I made a quick Gebr. Merkel serial number - year of production research and here are the results:
10000 circa 1920 15654 8/1927 17012 1929 18914 3/1931 21849 1935 (Added by montenegrin - Febr. 9, 2009) 34874 12/1951 36582 12/1952 40496 1956 48181 1958 59826 1/1964 71829 1969 77667 1971 107321 5/1987
So my "educated guess" is that my Merkel #21849 was probably made in 1933 or 1934. -Jani
P.S.: Thanks for posting the picture, JC - and I trust you had a nice birthday party!
Last edited by montenegrin; 02/09/09 11:20 AM.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,784 Likes: 185 |
Jani: I had also deduced 1933 using an invoice in 1926 for 14XXX and guessing Suhler Waffenwerk made an average of 1000 per year. I would say the data stamp would be on the lower tube. In a few of his Merkel articles, Mr. Apel of GGCA( http://www.germanguns.com ) mentions a Mrs. Weiss at Merkel who provides him with the work order info and specifics. Kind Regards, Raimey rse
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,763 Likes: 8
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,763 Likes: 8 |
ChiefShotguns, I don't dare to remove the wood myself as the screws are perfect and my ability is far from it. Will leave this to an experienced gunsmith when the time comes.
Raimey, I did send an email with serial number to Merkel and they might forward it to Mrs Weiss. Anyway I expect their answer this coming week.
With kind regards, Jani
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 631
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 631 |
Monte, Hope they find your gun records in Suhl (it looks very nice by the way).
For some reason the factory does not have the records of side by side production so others may want to take note.
Best,
C.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598 |
Jani,
If you can manage, I would love to see more photos of this gun. We don't get to see them very often.
Pete
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,763 Likes: 8
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,763 Likes: 8 |
C., Thank you for your kind words and good wishes. If I get some useful info from Suhl I will report here of course.
Pete, This is my only photo at the moment but will try to get some more in the near future (after registration, etc.).
BTW According to old catalogs from 1930s my Merkel is model 222E.
With kind regards, Jani
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