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3 members (LeFusil, oskar, 1 invisible),
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guests, and
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Forums10
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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 205 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 205 Likes: 1 |
I stumbled across the gun while emailing Orvis' gun room curator, who told me to look at them when I told him what I was looking for in a Merkel. I had noticed this GI listing maybe an hour before he directed me to it.
He said that, though they only started working together in 2015, that Chapuis is a wonderful company for them to do business with. Orvis is an established enough importer that I don't think I'd feel uncomfortable going through them for any warranty repairs, which are lifetime of the original owner of the gun.
The action is pretty unusual for a shotgun, but it looks like it's the same as their more popular double rifles. It's a blitz action, similar to what some European O/U's use, along with Barettas 486.
-Leverhead
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 931 Likes: 43
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 931 Likes: 43 |
That Ovis classic 20 on GI is one fine looking shotgun. I love the engraving pattern and rounded action. After going back to it numerous times, the only thing I saw that would have been nice would have been a long TG tang.
I would love to see this gun and a Bournbrook side by side.
LH, Did Orvis give you any weights per gauge?
Bill Johnson
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 205 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 205 Likes: 1 |
I just asked.
20ga is listed at 5.75lbs
12ga at 6.75.
-Leverhead
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,021
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,021 |
German guns are stout, French guns handle and balance like a dream. Its your choice.
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 205 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 205 Likes: 1 |
I've found Merkels to be clunky looking but extremely well balanced and handle a lot better than their square jaw suggests.
-Leverhead
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 931 Likes: 43
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 931 Likes: 43 |
I've found Merkels to be clunky looking Life is to short to hunt with an ugly gun. 
Bill Johnson
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 205 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 205 Likes: 1 |
I've found Merkels to be clunky looking Life is to short to hunt with an ugly gun. Yeah... Plus, who wouldn't love something slender and French in their lives?
-Leverhead
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,574 Likes: 167
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,574 Likes: 167 |
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.
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 205 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 205 Likes: 1 |
That's interesting, LB. I've never seen a Merkel like that.
I don't mind the little extra weight to mitigate recoil a little. This gun will see hunting and casual clays, and I'm 6'0" 200lbs, so carrying a 6.5 lb gun isn't going to kill me.
Balance, handling and longevity are my main concerns.
-Leverhead
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 373 Likes: 7
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 373 Likes: 7 |
That Orvis/Chapuis is a very nice looking gun, but I do not appreciate the laser engraving. Some of the laser engraving coming out of Italy today is very nice, but I'd rather have a little real engraving. Just my opinion.
There are German guns that look more classic and handle well. My 16 gauge Simson has nice, simple scroll work and at 6.5# handles very well for me. My Merkel 200 o/u, while definitely looking "Germanic", handles as well as any SxS game gun - it is a wand.
Jeff
"We are men of action. Lies do not become us."
Wesley
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