Gunwolf, you are a GOD-SEND! Here's the email I sent to Merkel:

Merkel:

I have been told by a German double gun enthusiast on a US bulletin board that Merkel is frequently helpful in providing background information on older pieces of Merkel art. I am attaching a few photos of a recent purchase. It is, I believe, a Taube Model combo gun manufactured by Merkel in "3/29" (March 1929), as marked on the barrel. The photos tell the story better, for the gun and the Zeiss scope. Any general information would be appreciated, both gun (mainly) and scope. A few specific questions follow.

Slide Show of Photos:

http://s166.photobucket.com/user/mljackso/slideshow/ML%20Jackson%203-27-52/Merkel%20Combo

1. Is this chambered for 7x57 or 7x57R? The barrel is marked "16 7x57" but some online experts are telling me I need to use 7x57R. I noted the only time I shot it that the 7x57 brass cashings are hard to take out of the chamber after shooting. Not ejected by the gun and no "rim" to grab to to remove spent casing.

2. Is it OK to shoot modern 2-3/4" 16 gauge shot shells? If not, what size shells are appropriate? I test fired one modern 2-3/4" shell and it shot fine. But is this risky?

3. The gun show 2 serial numbers: 16141 and 16867. The first is shown on both the removable forearm and the barrel. The second appears only on the barrel. Why are there 2 serial numbers? Has this been re-chambered, or is it factory original relative to chambering?

4. Does the gun appear to be in totally original configuration? Or does it appear in some ways not to be factory original?

5. Is the scope era correct for the rifle? I have seen this scope in a 1938 Zeiss catalog, so I feel it is correct for this gun...please confirm. Is the scope factory original or added later by an owner?

6. I am not sure how to adjust the scope. I have not really tried yet, but at first glance the adjustments are not intuitive. Can you send a few simple instructions, or maybe you have an original owner's manual?

I want you to know that I appreciate how Germans typically communicate so well in my inferior language (English). Thank you for learning my language. I wish I knew yours! (Then I could read all the catalogs I am finding about the best double guns!)

Any information will be greatly appreciated. Not expecting you to answer every question.....

Mike Jackson

(Yes, Michael Jackson)
Houston, Texas
1-713-471-xxxx

TexasJack
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