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LOT 3520
Factory Engraved Gebruder Merkel Model
203E Hand Detachable Sidelock Over/Under
Shotgun - Serial no. 91054, 20 gauge, 26 inch solid rib
bbl., blue/coin finish, walnut stock. Built with blued Spezial Laufstahl barrels featuring
a single white bead sight on the matted solid rib, 1977 dated German proofs, Birmingham
proof marks, and 3 inch chambers with automatic ejectors. The barrels are fitted to a highly
attractive coin finished
bolstered hand detachable
sidelock action with double
Kersten bolts which displays
floral scroll engraving
surrounding the Suhl emblem
on the underside before continuing onto the trigger guard, toplever, and both tangs. The gun
features double triggers (front articulated) and a tang mounted manual safety. The gun is fitted
with a handsomely figured and multi-point checkered three-piece forend with engraved coin
finished iron as well as a straight hand stock with a checkered polymer buttplate. Barrel and
stock measurements (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech ..624/.624 inches; choke
constriction .013/.016 inches; minimum wall thickness .033/.035 inches; 1 3/8 inch drop at comb; 2
7/16 inch drop at heel; 14 1/2 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs. 6 oz.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue and coin finishes with minor handling evidence, a few tiny patches of discoloration on the coin,
and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 3519
Factory Game Scene Engraved and Gold Inlaid Gebruder Merkel 16 Gauge
Model 203E Hand Detachable Sidelock Over/Under Shotgun - Serial no. 41824, 16
gauge, 28 inch solid rib bbl., blue/coin/gold finish, walnut stock. Built with blued steel barrels
featuring a single white bead sight on the matted slightly tapered flat solid rib, attractive oak leaf
engraving at the breech on the extensions and down the barrel wings connected by a string of pearls
and surrounding “GEBRUDER MERKEL/SUHL” on the left, 1955 dated German proof marks, and 2 3/4 inch
chambers with automatic ejectors. The barrels are fitted to the coin finished bolster hand detachable
sidelock action with double crossbolts. The action is decorated with extensive relief cut classic Germanic
oak leaf engraving covering nearly the entire surface aside from “GEBRUDER MERKEL/SUHL” on the
underside and a pair of beautifully executed game scenes on the lockplates. The left lockplate shows a fox
flushing a flock of mallards from a pond and the right displays a setter flushing a covey of quail, all of the
animals are semi-relief inlaid in gold and in fine detail. The gun features double triggers (front articulated)
and a tang mounted automatic safety. The gun is fitted with a nicely figured and multi-point checkered
three-piece forend with engraved iron as well as a pistol grip stock with deep oak leaf carving at the rear
of the lockplates, horn grip cap, a blank silver inscription oval, and a factory checkered horn buttplate.
Barrel and stock measurements (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .665/.663 inches; choke
constriction .020/.009 inches; minimum wall thickness .036/.041 inches; 1 9/16 inch drop at comb; 2 7/16
inch drop at heel; 14 7/16 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs. 10 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 99% professionally reapplied blue finish, 98% original coin and gold
finishes with minor gold loss on the setter, some light pitting near the muzzles, and minor handling
evidence. There is a small ding at the rear of the left lockplate and a few cracks at the toe; otherwise, the
wood is very fine with a few small marks and sharp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
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