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*20 GAUGE MERKEL 303 E LUXUS WITH GOLD.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,750.00 USD Estimated At:7,500.00 - 12,500.00 USD
*20 GAUGE MERKEL 303 E LUXUS WITH GOLD.
SN 96458. Cal. 20 ga. 26-3/4" Demi-bloc bbls with matted, ventilated rib are marked "GEBR. MERKEL SUHL" and "MADE IN GDR" on left side ejector boss. Bosses are engraved with large, shaded scroll. Bottom bbl is stamped with German nitro proofs with a date of 11/86. Ends of gold-plated extractors are stamped with "76" (chamber length) and with "3/4" and "1/4" (chokes). Coin finished, double Kersten action with hand detachable sidelocks, is fitted with non-automatic safety and gold-plated single selective trigger. Interiors of locks are engine turned and most internals are gold-plated. Action is engraved with full coverage, well cut, large, shaded scroll with floral highlights. "GEBR MERKEL" is in arched band on bottom. Lockplates are fully engraved with scenes of canines and game birds, which are relief gold inlaid, and are in appropriate semi-relief engraved backgrounds; a setter is approaching group of pheasants (two flushing) in open woods on left; right plate portrays fox surprising group of four mallards which are erupting from marsh. Round knob, semi pistol grip buttstock is of strikingly fiddle figured and nicely veined European walnut and measures 15-1/4" over 3/4" thick checkered horn buttplate. Well cut, 28LPI checkering has scroll acanthus carving with floral highlights at either end. Matching splinter 3-pc ejector forend has Deeley release. Carving is on both sides at rear and at tip. Bore diameter: top -.618, bottom -.614. Bore restrictions: top -.015 (Mod), bottom -.010 (IC). Wall thickness: top-.035, bottom -.032. Drop at heel: 1-15/16", drop at comb: 1-3/8". Weight: 7 lbs. 1 oz. LOP: 15-1/4". CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain nearly all of their orig satin blue. There is a small area of active oxidation at tip of left top piece of forend under wood. Gold wash on right extractor is considerably silvered. Action retains nearly all of its coin finish, slightly darkened. Top lever and trigger guard are also excellent, with only a hint of silvering. Stocks retain essentially all of their orig rubbed oil finish with one or two very light marks. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Ejectors are in time. Trigger works. 4-49190 MGM232