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From Wild Cattle's Post, can we assume that French Poudre BN3F. has a similar burn rate to French Poudre J??


Hochachtungsvoll,

Raimey
rse

Looks like French Poudre BN3F has quite the evolution. Poudre B(Blanche) or B(General Georges Ernest Jean-Marie Boulanger) in the mid 1880s(1884??)

Then it morphed to BF(Blanche Fusil). On to BF(NT) - Blanche Fusil Nouveau Type. Followed by BF(AM) - Blanche Fusil Améliorée (improved) in 1896.

1898 - BN3F arrived on the scene with >>3 was to show the addition of a slight amount of potassium nitrate or barium to the powder and was stabilized with antioxidant diphenylamine instead of amyl alcohol.<<.

1917 found BN3F to BN3F(AE) to be in common usage.

Much more reading to do....

Hochachtungsvoll,

Raimey
rse

Alright Ford, so you are talking about Wolff & Compagnie Walsrode Pulver from 1896. >>Walsroder Jagdpulver<< W1910, Walsroder Schrotpulver Nr. 1 for light scattergun loads & Nr. 2 for heavier hunting loads.

For Troisdorf Pulver the RWS plant in Troisdorf named their powders per their year of development.


Hochachtungsvoll,

Raimey
rse

Hello Argo44,

Thank you very much for your kind welcome and your encouraging words.

Yes, these are indeed the same gun and the original factory record kindly posted by Raimey. I was fortunate to receive a copy of the Gewehrkarte directly from the Merkel archives.

I also own a Merkel 47EL shotgun, and I have recently requested its factory record from the Merkel archives as well. I am currently looking forward to their reply.

The historical relationship between Suhl and Saint-Étienne is a fascinating subject, and I hope my research will help shed a little more light on it.

Living in Belgium, I also have the opportunity to come across many wonderful Liège-made sporting guns in local gun shops—makers such as Mahillon,Grofils, Ancion, Lebeau-Courally and Lebègue are always a pleasure to discover and study.

I will be happy to share additional photographs and any new information as my research progresses.

Best regards,

MaitreLucius

Hello Raimey,

Not yet! So far I have only been in contact with the Merkel archives by email.

I am actually considering a trip to Suhl, possibly in August or September if everything goes according to plan. It would be a real pleasure to visit the town where both of my Merkels were built and, hopefully, to meet Hendrik as well.

It would also be great to meet you, Wolfgang and the other enthusiasts if our schedules happen to coincide.

Best regards,

MaitreLucius

Thank you, Raimey.

That’s a very valuable reference. I will read Drew’s thread carefully, especially the discussion about BN3F powder. It may help us better understand why both German and French propellant loads appear on the factory work card.

Best regards,

MaitreLucius

https://boisegunclub.com/handbook/paul-vieille-smokeless-powder-poudre-b

Father of Smokeless Powder - Paul Vieille - French Chemist

Great read.


Hochachtungsvoll,

Raimey
rse

Raimey,
That is correct, I was wondering about current powers for substitutes for them.
Mike

Hello everyone,
As requested earlier, here are some detailed photographs of my Merkel Model 210.
I have also included a few pictures of the 2 original boxes of Browning 9×57R ammunition that came with the rifle.
I hope these photographs will be of interest and perhaps reveal additional details for the ongoing discussion.
Many thanks to everyone for the fascinating discussion and all the valuable information shared so far.
I look forward to hearing your observations !

To me, this Merkel Model 210 is far more than just another vintage sporting firearm. It is a true piece of mechanical poetry, built during the golden age of Suhl gunmaking. Elegant, perfectly balanced and beautifully crafted, it reflects the extraordinary skill of the Merkel craftsmen in 1929. Every detail, from the Böhler steel barrels to the finely fitted action, speaks of a time when sporting arms were built to last for generations. Nearly a century later, it remains as impressive mechanically as it is aesthetically. Owning and researching this rifle has become a fascinating journey, and I hope to uncover even more of its history with the help of this outstanding community.

Best regards,
MaitreLucius

Group 1: Overall Views, Stock & Receiver Details
https://postimg.cc/gallery/FNLWdd2

IMG-0544: Left side view of the buttstock, showing the walnut grain, fine checkering on the pistol grip, cheekpiece, and the rear profile of the sideplate/receiver.
IMG-0547: Side profile of the forend assembly, showing the wood fit, side screws, fine checkering, and upper rib sight button.
IMG-0550: Close-up of the receiver sideplate engraving (fine scrollwork), trigger guard, and double-trigger mechanism.
IMG-0565: Overall profile view of the action, forend, and breech area, highlighting the receiver scallops and scroll engravings.
IMG-0567: Bottom view of the forend, showing the latch release mechanism, hardware, and full checkering pattern.

Group 2: Close-ups of Action, Barrel Inscriptions & Engravings
https://postimg.cc/gallery/TRgC7pc

IMG_0548.jpg: Close-up of the left side of the action and breech area. Shows the deep scroll engraving, scalloped receiver detail, and the "BÖHLER STAHL" steel marking on the barrel flat.

IMG_0549.jpg: Detailed view of the left sidelock/sideplate. Shows the intricate scrollwork, fine checkering on the cocking indicator, rosette designs, and the side bolster.

IMG_0553.jpg: Full side view of the action and breech assembly. Clearly shows the "MERKEL FRÈRES" inscription with the AFM logo cartouche on the barrel, alongside "BÖHLER STAHL", the trigger guard, top lever, and stock wrist junction.

IMG_0554.jpg: Close-up of the right side action and barrel chamber area. Highlights the sharp "MERKEL FRÈRES" and "AFM" markings, the "BÖHLER STAHL" stamp, and the high-grade scroll engraving on the frame.