I recently obtained a 1974-75 catalog reprint from Cornell Publications..... Suhler Jagdwaffen Doppelflinten, to help me figure out what model Gebr. Merkel that I might have.
In 1998 I purchased this slightly used gun at Franconia in Munich for about $1750 USD, who identifed and shipped (stamped Gebr. Merkel on left bbl.) as Gebr. Merkel mod. 76E. Mod. 76E is identified in catalog reprint as a Simson and Merkel as a mod. 122......top of the line box lock, with engraved side plates. Note: the 19th edition of Fjestad's Blue Book states that the Merkel 76E importation to USA was discontinued in 1992 and the Merkel 122 importation began in 1993.
Per the reprint catalog, the following models are equivalent:
MERKEL.........SIMSON
8.................35/70
47E..............35/70E
147E.............74E
122..............76E
47S..............---
147S.............---
247S.............---
347S.............---
447S.............---
547S.............---
147S Luxus.......---
---..............76E Luxus
8 Luxus..........---
The hunting scene engraved on my Merkel's side plates surely look different than the usual model 76E and 122 side plate depiction. So, what model Merkel might I have? Perhaps, the side plates were custom-ordered from the factory.
John
Last edited by smilinjohn; 02/26/09 06:08 PM.
