The time has come to pass on my second-generation 1941 Merkel 16 to the third and fourth generations. It needed to make a stop on the way east for a new toplever spring, though. Conner Carson at Orvis-Sandanona tackled it. One does not send off a gun like this with a light heart, but was extremely pleased with the process. From contact and communication, fabrication, cost, turnaround, and shipping, I couldn't have been more satisfied.
Many qualified smiths have retired and/or moved on, and Conner is filling this void. He has several Instagram posts that will give a feel for his capabilities. One does not 'unload' a gun like this lightly after using it for close to 50 years, and the posts assisted in the comfort level greatly.
