On O/U the only difference I can see just looking at pictures is the Simson uses two screw on the forend and the Merkel 3. On the sxs's it is even harder to tell the difference. They both look like they are on the same frame, why the big difference in prices?

Also built in the same factory in Suhl. Engraving is almost identical. Its all name brand recognition IMO. Simson was more for the German market and Merkel's were more for export.

Depends on when the guns in question were made. Simson was an independent Jewish-owned operation before WWII. Taken over by the Nazis. After WWII, when Germany was divided East and West, Merkels and Simsons were indeed made in the same factory in Suhl. That being said, German guns in general--both OU and sxs--show many common features no matter who made them. There are certainly exceptions, but it can often be hard to tell a Merkel from a Simson from a Sauer just at a glance from a distance.

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This statement only applies to the post war guns. Pre WWII, they are relatively easily distinguished from each other, especially Merkel from the other two.

The Simson family has been able to recover their property in the last several years, but I don't know the status of their gun makin, if any.
Mike

Things get a bit complicated after WWII. Sauers were being made on both sides of the Iron Curtain. The East German ones were called Fortuna.