looks like a nicely made gun.....and merkel just cheapened their models....makes this look like a even better deal if your buying new......
I'd like new-old-stock or as-new for a Merkel.
The new 40e's with the printed-on looking laser engraving don't do it for me. I would've preferred that they just omit engraving altogether and blue the receiver.
I had a Merkel 20ga 147EL you might have liked. Essentially plain coin-finished receiver with the Merkel coat of arms in gold on the bottom. Marked "Classic". I've never seen another one like it. Very attractive gun. I traded it to my hunting partner, who lusted after it. He moved on as well. But not because it wasn't a well-made and very reliable gun. A bit heavier than the Chapuis at 6 1/4 with 28" barrels.
As for something slender and French . . . I had a colleague in the diplomatic corps who married a French woman. Very attractive. But there's a saying something to the effect that Americans dream of French women, but if they marry them, they're awakened by a nightmare.
