doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Advantages of the top rib extension bolt

Overkill, Brent. Not overbuilt. Overkill as in unnecessary, belt and suspenders. From an engineering standpoint either method would be adequate on its own. As stated, most low enders only have a rib extension with the inclined slot. I've never seen one fly open!

I disagree. Drew just showed us an example.

Disagree if you like. I imagine there is a lot more story to that broken rib extension than the obvious. By the way the Merkle could suffer similar damage, a rib extension is a rib extension.

I would ask, had the Merkle only had one locking system or the other would you have not bought it? Several other criteria that I look at first. Configuration, fit, condition, weight, balance etc. Would I buy a Merkle, sure! Seek one out solely because of its locking scheme, no.

Chief

No I would not have bought it.I would definitely not have bought it, had it only one locking lug or mechanism.

Westley Richards relied on the top extension alone in their early hammer breech-loaders as well as the first Anson and Deeley actions (seen here in an Edwinson Green c.1880).

As I understand it, when a double under bolt is properly fitted the entire load (in the absence of excessive action flexing or some failure) is taken by the rear bite the front bite acting as a reserve.

Add a top extension and whether the load is taken by the rear bottom bolt and/or the top extension is a matter of how well fitted each bolt is.

Thanks Parabola for showing a certainly not low end gun with the inclined slot/doll's head rib extension. For Brent's edification has it ever popped open on firing?

And Brent, I don't believe that, you twist! I believe the Merkle has double underlugs and crossbolt? Not one lug and crossbolt? I remember you have or have had in your estimation a soulless, ugly Ithaca/SKB. Double underlug, rarely single underlug. Still get it out for Grouse?

Chief

You said one locking system. I took that to mean one locking lug. Regardless, I would not shoothe ammo that?I run through my miracle in a two Underlog action.

No the s k b does not go grouse hunting or really much of anything else. I sure as hell would not want to hunt turkeys with it although others might.
My apologies for the strange verbiage.This voice to text it's not very effective and I don't have time to fix it

Whew! Happy you explained the voice texting! Thought you'd stripped a gear!

I refer you to page one, Eightbore's post RE double underlugs. He is spot on. I don't think a Win. 21 would balk at about whatever you could fire in it!

Chief

Actually, my grouse gun has only 2 under logs.It is a kimball skimmin and wood british gun. But it shoots only 7/8 oz loads at under sixty five hundred psi.

Lower grade Merkels do not have underlug locking. They are only held closed by the extensions. And, yes, people buy them.