Thanks HOS for your informed viewpoints. I guess part of my objection to the Merkels is the deep and massive top lug system -is that the Kersten design? Probably also why I don't like the older Belgian Browning Superposed either- the Berettas seem to be slimmer in the juncture of barrels and receiver. I'm also "Old School" set a lot of store by the late Paul A. Curtis- in his 1934 book "Guns and Gunning" he expressed his distain of the German shotguns- "Germany, where some of the world's worse shotguns are being made", and was a devout "Anglophile", shot British best sidelocks most of his adult life I believe. You are right about the name recognition- Purdey, Rolex, Steinway and the inherent quality that "marque" brings to the market, new or "previously owned". A good friend with some experience in "London Bests" once advise me that "If you ever win the Irish Sweepstakes and decide to buy a Purdey or Churchill or Holland & Holland or Boss 'used' remember that most were made to fit the original purchaser, and aren't 'off the rack' like your field grade Model 12's" I am sure he was right-
