"JNW," while far from an expert on the
Merkel gun, I would highly commend their Model 200E to you. Indeed, I think so highly of this particular ejector gun that the only 'modern' gun I own, apart from a large complement of 'antique' specimens, is indeed a Bill McGuire-customized
Merkel 200E.
Before the customization work could commence, however, I needed to undertake a personal search for the best over-and-under barrel set (28-inch) and action body to employ, as I then self-defined such. The
Merkel 200E was considered and immediately went to the fore. It is exceedingly well-built, impressively designed, and perceived by its users as practically indestructible. These earlier surmised attributes have proven tangible, based on my experiences afield with my
Merkel gun. As a trap or sporting clays gun, it is all I could ask; and as a sporting gun, it is equally remarkable.
Everything comes together when I raise and shoulder this gun, whether I am swinging through or forward of the target, and do my part. Mr. McGuire made it a work of art overall, and Kirk Merrington re-choked the gun to perfectly match my style of shooting. It is choked 1/4 and (barely) improved modified. I like the stippled
Miller non-selective single-trigger, too, even after a lifetime of two triggers and the comfortable familiarity of the side-by-side configuration.
Regarding the
Merkel gun, I was informed by much more knowledgeable friends that I should first look for the presence of a superior quality stamp appearing, if present, on certain metal surfaces. As well, if I could not locate a pre-war gun of acceptable condition and quality, I should look for a
Merkel gun with an original mid- to late 1950's build date (The mystique of their status as boutique Soviet Bloc-produced guns only added to their legendary recognition for quality that had been established before the Second World War.). I am infinitely grateful my gun is not stamped anywhere "
GDR," as it might have been if built later, but is instead stamped "
Gerbruder Merkel, Suhl," another greatly preferred mark. The superior quality stamp consists of two concentric circles and a large number "1" superimposed over them, with the whole underlined by two wavy lines.
Below is a combination photograph of several of the constituent parts of my gun that evince the superior quality stamp just described:
You should also remark the "953" stamp shown in the lower right-hand side photograph, which stamp translates to an original build date of "
September 1953" for this gun. Thus, I was able to satisfy my quest for the best barrel set and action, and all within the parameters suggested by my friends.
Following is a profile of my aforementioned custom
Merkel 200E:
I wish you every success in locating a suitable
Merkel 200E Model. Having found one, you will not be disappointed.
Regards,
Edwardian
