So from the current Merkel O/U thread,
"According to the book, involvement in the firearms trade for his family began with Friedrich Ernst Ferdinand Merkel(1821-1901), an engraver, and continued by Ernst August Merkel(1853-1912) and by his son Louis Ferdinand(1866-1904). The Merkels became well established gunmakers in Suhl. Bernhard Emil Merkel(1874-1954), son of Friedrich Ernst Ferdinand, founded his own business around the turn of the century(20th), to be followed by his son Fritz(1906-1976)."
I'm sure the possibility exists for the "B.M." stamp on this Carl Gründig drilling to be for someone other than Bernhard Emil Merkel, but the preponderance of evidence seems to be weighing in Bernhard Merkel's favor.
Also, Oskar Merkel founded his business as early as 1887 and he may have had a relative/son that help found a business circa 1907. So it is possible that Heinrich Scherping was sourcing Oskar Merkel as early as the late 1880s, a time when distance sourcing seems to have begun to spool.
I can't remember is this O/U had the "MERCO" stamp or not. But I would venture a guess that the longarm, and engraving, was finished in or around Hanover.
Kind Regards,
Raimey
rse
