doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Traveling with Merkel Parts

Has anyone ever sent or brought a component of a Merkel to Germany for repair from the US? I am trying to find the German rules for bringing in the Blitz lock system (basically what we we call the upper receiver) of a 96K with me on a trip to Germany. The Drillinge proofs seem to indicate it is an early one somewhere before 1932, but that is all I know, so far.

If you need to know and don't get the answer here I would call the German embassy. They should be able to tell you what you need to know or find out for you. Then I would ask them to send me a letter, I know I am so old, email now to confirm it.

Cybercop,
If you intend to have Merkel perform the repair, I suggest strongly that you call them( I believe they have a Rep. in Alabama) to find out if they can even do it "in house" or would refer you to someone else. A pre 1932 Merkel may have used a system( action) much different than used now( if, indeed, they still make drillings). If they can't do the work "in house", you may be as well off having a talented American do it. I ran into this trying to have Post War Sauer make a forearm for a prewar gun. They couldn't do it, and I had to find someone else.
Mike

Thanks Mike. Actually had already contacted the Alabama office, and of course as you alluded/thought they could not help me with such an old weapon; in fact they do not have even have product literature on the Drillinge. With that said, and given the luck that I know exactly where the factory is and speak fluent German; the factory has sent me an initial response. Obviously am trying to get Custom/Border Police (BundesPolizei) to confirm with my son in law (in Germany) what we exactly need (kudos to my friend Wolfgang privately as well!). Will update when I find out more; and should it come to fruition; I will definitely post pictures of the Merkel factory, and if they give me a tour and allow it.

Cybercop,
Is your son-in-law an American, entitled to use the APO? Does he have a Jagdscheine? I went through customs several times with guns and my hunting license( Jagdscheine)as the permit, that was almost40 years ago though.
Mike

What are you trying to get fixed? You might find someone in USa that can do the work

John Boyd
Quality Arms

I know nothing of all the forms & paperwork needed to enter Germany & then re-enter the States.
However the above advice seems sound to me, just to keep all of the gun inside of one border in this crazy world.
Differing regulations & interpretations is a can of worms that I personally would not like to open & then risk losing parts of my gun to petty officialdom.
This also smells of costing lotsa money.

The current crop of Merkel workers may know no more about this gun than some one at home.
A bit like taking a 32 Ford into the Wayne Michigan Ford plant for an engine rebuild.
Just my opinion, whatever that is worth.
O.M

Since the firearms traceability regulation was adopted into national legislations a few years ago, every vital part of a gun crossing EU borders must have prior import and export licenses for every crossing. Exempt are firearsm coverd by the EU gun passport and accompanied by the owner.

Vital parts are the barrels, receivers and all parts needed to function as a firearm. Lock parts would most likely fall into this definition.

The permits apply to each border crossing, regardless of whether the firearm is licensed in the EU or not. So you will need a German import permit and a US export permit, then when the job is done a German export permit and a US import permit.

These regulations have effectively robbed EU firearm buyers of makers' warranties and no one noticed. It suits the makers of lemons for sure. Sane people would not undergo months of buraucracy and considerable expense to send a 1000 Euro gun to the makers for warranty work.

High end guns that should be serviced by the makers are not, for the same reason.

Bottom line, find someone in the US to do the job.