doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 1939 German Combination Gun, Need Help IDing Maker

Greetings everyone,

This is my first post to the site and my very first German combination gun. It is 16ga over 6.5x57r, and it has "Karl Kormes, Leipzig" stamped on the top of the barrel. I understand that they were the retailer. Under the rifle barrel there are several proof marks and the date "1139". I have photographed a marking that I do not recognize and that I haven't been able to find (last image). There is also a very small "GS" stamped just in front of the point where the forearm attaches to the barrel. Is there any way to identify the actual maker of this gun with the information provided? One of my buddies who collects these said that it might be a Merkel. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Karl K�rmes was a trader:

http://www.ebay.it/itm/Karl-Kormes-Leipzig-Jaggdportmagazin-Jagdpatronen-Reklame-1897-/161246833780

but established in 1797�!!!

and he existed at least in 1949:

http://adressbuecher.genealogy.net/entry/show/2604772

Kind regards,
Gunwolf

Welcome dsm_1934 on your first posting here
Nice pictures, Thanks

6.4mm x 57

Have you measured to bore?
It the bore a .257 or .264 ?
Mike

I'll go through my 1954 edition of the Stoeger's Bible- has great detail on German proof marks- I think I sense why your friend thought Merkel- as the three piece forearm bears that similarity- also Greifelt and possibly also Gebruder Adamy as well- Very nice and well made, as judged from the initial photos- the musselshell shaped receiver reinforcing bosses, perfect screws, Krupp Fluidsteel barrels-you have a fine weapon indeed--Der Fuchs

Thanks for the replies and welcomes! The bore measures from .259 to .264 depending whether I'm measuring in the lands or grooves. My friend mentioned the three piece forearm as the reason he thought it might be a Merkel. It does bear a lot of similarities to Merkel in particular. These are far from my expertise, which is why I came to you fine gentlemen for help. Thanks again!

Thanks, what a wonderful gun!! I love the Merkel style guns. What fun, what fun. Some were made with a second set of over/under barrel in 16/16 gauge.

The front trigger does appear to be a single set trigger

http://www.luckygunner.com/6-5x57mm-rimmed-131-gr-sp-sellier-bellot-20-rounds

G�nter & I in tandem have been chasing the above tube maker for a time. It looks to be a JY or YJ; maybe a Jung or maybe a J�ger? But with a brace of marks, it notes compensation & liability for 2 efforts. M-4 & I have attempted to define F.W. Ke�ler as a primary Suhl source for sporting weapons, but the jury is still out. I'd browse thru a F.W. Ke�ler catalogue to compare to the Blitz action combo. What might the serial number be & are there any monograms on the left side of the aft lug, on the water table or standing breech? The mechanic with the GS initials performed some excellent tasks. Are the initials encircled? At this juncture I don't see anything that points to Brothers Merkel.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

The form of the action reminds me of a Kerner& Sohns I have, although the engraving is different. Did anyone notice the crown E (Express)proof?
Mike

Thanks for the info ellenbr! Serial number is 43635. The only mark on the aft lug is, I believe, the marking of the Suhl Proofhouse. It is also stamped on the face of the receiver, just below the shotgun firing pin:





The "GS" marking is uncircled, and very small.



Thanks again!

Hum, that answers quite a bit. Some have equated that stamp w/ E. Schmidt & Habermann and I thought it to pair w/ Merkel. But don't let anyone tell you that it is just a stamp of the town of Suhl(sole & axe) as it is a trademark. Let's look toward E. Schmidt & Habermann for the moment.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse