Merkel 28 gauge 203

[Larry the Gun Guy]

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.
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[Jerry Parise]

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.

[James L. Martin]

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.

[Kevin McCormack]

The Kersten breech and the 3-piece forend make me want to smoke a fine imported cigar.

[Bill Murphy]

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.

[Ken Hill]

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

Ken

[Larry the Gun Guy]

Originally Posted by Ken Hill

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.

[Brian Patton]

I believe the 303 action has two lumps protruding through the bottom of the action.
Best Regards,
JBP

[Bill Murphy]

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.

[Larry the Gun Guy]

Here are a couple more shots of the barrels and the action.
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