The "real" A&F of our youth no longer exists. They went bankrupt and the name was bought by the "new" A&F. They do not sell guns, they don't outfit safaris but they sell overpriced "outdoor" clothing to wannabes. I was in one of their shops once (I think it might have been in Boston) and fled in terror.
Merkels are indeed nice guns but I also wouldn't pay for the fake collectible ones that Beans is pushing. You're right - for that money you can get an English double.
However, one of the nicest guns that I've ever shot is a Merkel - their 1620. It's a 16 gauge boxlock built on a 20 gauge frame and it is very sweet. I have a 20 ga on the same frame and it's heavier and not as nice-handling.
LD- were you on the East or WEst side of Park?
