Make: Gebruder Merkel

Model: Bockbüchsflinte

Serial Number: 18515

Year of Manufacture: 1931 

Gauge: 16 GA” over 8x57mmJR (a chamber sleeve is included for .22 rimfire)

Action Type: Top-Break Over/Under Combination Rifle/Shotgun with Extractors & Cocking Indicators

Barrel Length: 26”

Choke: Full, Fixed

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade in-line dovetailed to the front of the rib. The rear sight folds to present either a small or a wide “U”-notch in a base dovetailed to the rib. There are bases for a quick-detach claw-mount on the rear of the rib (no mount included).

Stock Configuration and Condition: The stocks are checkered walnut. The forend has two screw-secured side-pieces with a checkered main portion. The buttstock has a capped pistol grip, straight comb with shadow-line cheekpiece, checkered horn buttplate with “GM” monogram and a sling swivel in the belly (there is another swivel mounted to the bottom barrel in front of the forend). The stocks have some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a repaired chip at the toe. There is a short, thin crack at the rear of the top tang. The LOP measures 14 1/8″ and 13 1/8″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered light wear with well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The shotgun bore is mostly bright with infrequent minor erosion. The rifle bore is semi-bright with well defined rifling. There is some light erosion and stubborn fouling in the rifle bore. In this writer's opinion, the bores rate 9 and 7 out of 10, respectively.

Overall Condition: This combination gun retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The balance is mostly in muting of the receiver’s case color. There is some good color in well protected areas. The barrels have generally strong finish with some patches of wear. There is wear from the forend which is concealed when assembled. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches and a little minor surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots, most are properly timed. The markings are clear. Overall, this gun is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The safety does not engage automatically, but functions properly when engaged manually. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: Included is a leather sling, a .22 caliber rimfire chamber sleeve and a total of 40 Sellier & Bellot 8x57JR cartridges (2 boxes of 20 each).

Our Assessment: The name Merkel has been around in Suhl for more than 200 years, with several different “Merkels” being known for making high quality sporting arms. Gebrüder Merkel, today known as Merkel Jagd und Sportwaffen, is the only one which has stood the test of time. Surviving two world wars, Soviet occupation and the East German state, it is still around to this day! This “Bockbüchsflinte” (o/u combination gun) was made in 1931 and is a fine example of their craft. A boxlock 16 gauge over 8x57mmJR combo gun, it has tasteful engraving on the receiver, European styling with a straight comb and cheekpiece, forward mounted sling swivel and horn buttplate. The ability to take both fowl and terrestrial game as well as the intriguing design make for a great, well-rounded hunting gun. It will also make a nice addition to a European sporting gun collection as a neat example of a Merkel combination gun. Please see our photos and good luck!