Parker Gun Collectors Association Forums  

Go Back   Parker Gun Collectors Association Forums Non-Parker Specific & General Discussions General Discussions about Other Fine Doubles

Notices

Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
Merkel 28 gauge 203
Unread 03-27-2023, 11:29 AM   #1
Member
Larry the Gun Guy
PGCA Member
 
Larry Stauch's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 928
Thanks: 3,094
Thanked 1,801 Times in 430 Posts

Default Merkel 28 gauge 203

I was lucky enough to come across this little 28 gauge Merkel with game scene engraved hand detachable sidelocks. It's in 95%+ condition and it has 28" vent rib Bohler steel barrels. It was made 7/1967. It is choked SK/IC and it has a single selective trigger. The LOP is 14-1/4" to factory butt plate. Nice crisp semi-deep engraving of Short haired pointer on flushing game birds and running Hare on left of receiver. Right side has Fox stalking/flushing 4 ducks off a river. Has the Suhl gunsmith on the bottom of the receiver. It weighs 6 lbs 2 oz and it has a 3 piece forend. I'm not positive it's a 203, but that's the best I can come up with. Maybe there a Merkel expert that can verify the model. Anyway, it's still snowing out here like it was January and I can't do much else, other than shovel snow, so I thought I would post some pictures of it. This is kind of the opposite of that massive Ithaca 10 gauge.
X
X
Attached Images
File Type: jpg DSC_0003 (2).jpg (43.8 KB, 3 views)
File Type: jpg DSC_0023 (1).jpg (143.5 KB, 9 views)
File Type: jpg DSC_0099 (2).jpg (112.2 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg DSC_0098 (2).jpg (122.1 KB, 1 views)
File Type: jpg DSC_0005 (2).jpg (47.2 KB, 1 views)
File Type: jpg DSC_0013 (1).jpg (106.4 KB, 3 views)
File Type: jpg DSC_0012 (1).jpg (126.0 KB, 1 views)
File Type: jpg DSC_0102 (2).jpg (129.2 KB, 2 views)
File Type: jpg DSC_0041 (1).jpg (84.5 KB, 2 views)
File Type: jpg DSC_0038 (1).jpg (127.0 KB, 2 views)
File Type: jpg DSC_0042 (2).jpg (71.7 KB, 2 views)
File Type: jpg DSC_0046 (2).jpg (81.5 KB, 0 views)
File Type: jpg Merkel 203E 28 GA x 28 in SST 6lbs 2 oz (25).jpg (88.9 KB, 3 views)
File Type: jpg DSC_0101 (2).jpg (104.1 KB, 1 views)
Larry Stauch is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 03-27-2023, 01:17 PM   #2
Member
Jerry Parise
Forum Associate

Member Info
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 73
Thanks: 10
Thanked 41 Times in 29 Posts

Default

That is a beautiful gun. At 6 lbs. 2 oz., that is a very shootable weight in my opinion for a 28 ga. The 28" barrels are a good length to aid swing and reduce whippyness. I love the engraving and the fact that it is a side lock. It also lacks the cheek piece that most dislike. I can't see any negative with this gun, other than perhaps the length of pull being a bit short. However, that is easily correctable if you need too. Great find and I hope that you shoot that gun in good health for a long long time.
Jerry Parise is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Jerry Parise For Your Post:
Unread 03-27-2023, 01:30 PM   #3
Member
James L. Martin
PGCA Member
 
James L. Martin's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 761
Thanks: 1,004
Thanked 1,809 Times in 424 Posts

Default

Very nice Merkel, I have owned a 16ga o/u Merkel with 29 1/2 barrels for 35 years, great guns, good luck with that beauty.
__________________
" May you build a ladder to the stars climb on every rung and may you stay forever young "
Bob Dylan
James L. Martin is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to James L. Martin For Your Post:
Unread 03-27-2023, 03:48 PM   #4
Member
Kevin McCormack
PGCA Lifetime
Member

Member Info
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,097
Thanks: 1,399
Thanked 3,841 Times in 1,087 Posts

Default

The Kersten breech and the 3-piece forend make me want to smoke a fine imported cigar.
Kevin McCormack is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Kevin McCormack For Your Post:
Unread 03-27-2023, 04:12 PM   #5
Member
Bill Murphy
PGCA Lifetime
Member Since
Second Grade

Member Info
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 15,933
Thanks: 6,375
Thanked 9,245 Times in 4,928 Posts

Default

How about that German Shorthair? This is a great gun. If I can find a Merkel catalog of that vintage, I'll check out the models.
Bill Murphy is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Bill Murphy For Your Post:
Unread 03-27-2023, 04:14 PM   #6
Member
Ken Hill
PGCA Member
 
Ken Hill's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 738
Thanks: 956
Thanked 773 Times in 383 Posts

Default

Nice Merkel. This link may help with the model ID https://www.hallowellco.com/traditio...kel_grades.htm

Ken
Ken Hill is offline   Reply With Quote
Merkel model
Unread 03-28-2023, 10:22 AM   #7
Member
Larry the Gun Guy
PGCA Member
 
Larry Stauch's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 928
Thanks: 3,094
Thanked 1,801 Times in 430 Posts

Smile Merkel model

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken Hill View Post
Nice Merkel. This link may help with the model ID https://www.hallowellco.com/traditio...kel_grades.htm

Ken
Thanks Ken; That's the first time I've seen the models laid out that well.

Last edited by Larry Stauch; 03-28-2023 at 02:38 PM.. Reason: New information
Larry Stauch is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 03-28-2023, 10:43 AM   #8
Member
Brian Patton
Forum Associate

Member Info
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 4
Thanks: 1
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post

Default

I believe the 303 action has two lumps protruding through the bottom of the action.
Best Regards,
JBP
Brian Patton is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 03-28-2023, 11:27 AM   #9
Member
Bill Murphy
PGCA Lifetime
Member Since
Second Grade

Member Info
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 15,933
Thanks: 6,375
Thanked 9,245 Times in 4,928 Posts

Default

A side view of the action with the gun open will tell you and us whether the underlugs have bites. Bites, 303, plain underlugs without cuts for bites, 203.
Bill Murphy is offline   Reply With Quote
Additional pictures
Unread 03-28-2023, 11:39 AM   #10
Member
Larry the Gun Guy
PGCA Member
 
Larry Stauch's Avatar

Member Info
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 928
Thanks: 3,094
Thanked 1,801 Times in 430 Posts

Default Additional pictures

Here are a couple more shots of the barrels and the action.
X
X
Larry Stauch is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:18 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 1998 - 2024, Parkerguns.org
Copyright © 2004 Design par Megatekno
- 2008 style update 3.7 avec l'autorisation de son auteur par Stradfred.