MERKEL O/U NEED HELP

[J. A. EARLY]

I have no clue about this gun other than I know of its quality. I found the number 638 under the barrels which I understand is the manufacture date of June 1938. Serial 25,XXX. LEFT SIDE: ERNST STEIGLEDER, BERLIN RIGHT SIDE: GEBEUDER MERKEL, SUHL. 29", 46 & 55 points for chokes. 2 3/4" CHAMBERS, SOLID RIB

The interest I have is this is what my dad should have sent home after fighting through France, Germany, and Austria (71st Inf. Div.). He was probably being paid more than he had been before the war, and had to stay in Salzburg, Austria until March '46. I'm sure guns were readily available even for purchase, but don't know if a T-5 would have been able to send one home.

Please provide any opinion on this gun and an estimate of the value would help.

Thanks.