doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Merkel Combo Gun -- Need Basic Info

I appreciate all the assistance provided so far. Nobody has commented on the presence of what appear to be 2 serial numbers: 16141 and 16867. Both are barrel markings. 16141 also appears on the metal underplate of the removable forearm grip. What might the presence of 2 serial numbers indicate?

Texasjack, I wouldn't shoot 2 3/4 (70mm) shells in this Gun! We have lots of these guns here in Germany and one of the first thing people learn in the prep course for the hunting license is NOT to put 70 mm shot shells into 65 mm chambers!!! It might be dangerous!!! One reason, why the ammunition makers came out with the 67,5 mm shells. These will work without problems! Of course it's POSSIBLE to shoot 70 mm but with lots of risk! As for the 7x57: it's very unlikely that it is NOT a 7x57R because this is a breech loading gun and the 7x57 (7mm Mauser) was especially modified to 7x57R for this Breechloaders!

Best,
Wolfgang

Texasjack,
Believe it or not, you confirmed that it is chambered for 7x57R ,since it did not extract the rimless case. A 2 3/4" 16 ga shell will chamber in a 2 1/2" chamber, because the crimp shortens the unfired case. When it is fired, the crimp unfolds into the forcing cone, creating an obstruction and increased pressures. This is a point of great controversy among 16 ga users; some insist on using 2 1/2 shells, some advise rechambering, and some use 2 3/4" shells and chance damaging the gun.
I made the comment about the stock, because it shows signs of having been sanded, the color doesn't match the forearm; and as far as the "repair" is concerned, there is a plug showing ( usually to cover a screw).
While I couldn't examine it, the scope seems to be a good one. I don't like to estimate worth of someone else's gun. I can only reccommend you compare it with others that have actually been sold on different auction sites( pay no attention to those that have not been sold for 2 or 3 years). Also Simpson Ltd. recently imported several different types combination guns and their prices are firm prices, they are not an auction site.
My comments about the stock should not be taken as a criticism , but rather as information. In my unsolicited opinion, you should keep this gun and use it,it is a very good and useful gun which will give you many hours of enjoyment.For 7x57R ammo, check out Huntington Die Specilities or J&G Sales.
I hope you find this helpful.
Mike

http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/index.php/cName/rifle-ammo-7x57r

http://www.rstshells.com/rst_classic_shotshells_shotshells.htm

And the empties are reloadable!!!

Mike

Gunwolf, you state the following: "As for the 7x57: it's very unlikely that it is NOT a 7x57R because this is a breech loading gun and the 7x57 (7mm Mauser) was especially modified to 7x57R for this Breechloaders!" Others in the various responses agree with you. And I do too. I need 7x57R not 7x57. However, I believe the barrel is marked 7x57. I will check tonight and advise, Thanks for your help! I will post photos soon showing the chambering marking on the barrel.

Texas Jack;
The R in the 7x57R simply denotes it to be a rimmed shell while the 7x57 is rimless. Most break open guns use the rimmed round for extraction while most bolt rifles use the rimless for better feeding. Otherwise dimensions are the same. You will not endanger the gun with the rimless round but as you noted it is hard to extract the empty. This is of course conditional the chamber was properly cut to headspace the round on the shoulder but it likely was.

Miller,
it's not the whole truth, the pressure is different!
And I think the shell as well, because the 7x57R has a cone (don't know if it is the right word in english) that means, diameter at the rear is brighter than at the front, so, if you polish the chambers, you nearly won't need an extractor! For the specifications this might be helpful:
http://www.norma.cc/en/Products/Hunting/7x57-R-Mauser/

Gunwolf

....and for further (practical) informations:

http://www.wildundhund.de/r30/vc_content/bilder/firma438/Dossiers/munition2010-7x57tabellen.pdf

Gunwolf

Gunwolf, I will look at these links later when I can. Thank you for providing them. See the sketches below which confirm that the OD at the cartridge base for the 7x57 (12.10 mm) is indeed larger than for the 7x57R (12.05 mm). This might be the reason the 7x57 casing would not fall via gravity from the chamber when I was test firing this combo gun.

Mike, appreciate your assistance. I never took your comments as criticism. (BTW, I am an Auburn grad...Class of '74 ... I am used to criticism!!! Where do you live in East Ala.?)