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Beautifully Engraved Pre-World War II Merkel Over/Under Side Lock Shotgun

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Shotguns Start Price:2,250.00 USD Estimated At:4,500.00 - 6,500.00 USD
Beautifully Engraved Pre-World War II Merkel Over/Under Side Lock Shotgun
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Beautifully Engraved Pre-World War II Merkel Over/Under Side Lock Shotgun

This shotgun has expertly executed flourishes of floral scroll engraving on the lock plates, receiver, trigger guard, break lever and forearm hardware. There is also rose bouquet engraving on the lock plates, bolsters and on the bottom of the receiver. There is a tang mounted safety, cocking indicators on the locks and double triggers with the front articulating. The barrels have a single white bead sight on the hand matted rib are choked .015/.042 and have 2 3/4 inch chambers with ejectors. The top left and right of the top barrel at the breech is stamped "BOHLER (star) STAHL/Weichlot". The left barrel shoulder is engraved "MERKEL FRERES/SUHL (ALLEMAGNE)". The water table is stamped with the serial number "18725", with an eagle proof mark and with a "Crown/U" proofmark. The bottom of the barrels are stamped with "18725/12/BOHLER (star) STAHL", "FB" and with "Crown/S" and eagle proofmarks. The matching serial number is stamped inside the forearm iron and is engraved on the lower tang. The barrels are blue with the remainder of the components bright. Mounted on a nicely figured, multi-point checkered three-piece walnut forearm and straight grip stock with checkered horn buttplate. Length of pull is 14 inches, drop at comb is 1 1/8 inch, drop at heel is 2 3/8 inches and an 1/8 inch of cast off.

Manufacture: Merkel Gebruder
Model: 203e
BBL: 27 1/2 inch solid rib
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 12
Finish: blue/coin
Grips:
Serial Number: 18725

Professionally refinished, the barrels retain 99% of the high quality blue finish with some scattered minor handling marks. There are scratches and dings underneath the finish on the barrels. The coin finished components are bright with evidence of pin prick pitting in a few small areas. The refinished wood is very good with a small repair on the top left rear of the forearm along with scattered dings and scratches. The buttplate has some spots of worm damage. Mechanically excellent. An attractive and high quality German Over/Under Side Lock shotgun!