Description
MERKEL 12G SIDE BY SIDE SHOTGUN.
12 Gauge Side by Side Shotgun from Merkel in Germany. 26” (660mm) FIXED Choke Barrels at ½ and ¾ restriction and 2 ¾” (70mm) Chambers. As such quite unusual for an older Side by Side. Finished with a lightly Concave Matt / Milled Finish sighting rib and single front bead. Stock is almost straight so may well easily shoot from either shoulder and detail as Ambidextrous. It is also a LONG 15 1/8” (385mm) pull including the 1” (25mm) Buffalo Horn Extension. It should work well for the taller examples of the species amongst us. Overall the gun finishes 43 ¼” (1098mm) long and weighs in at ¼ oz over a straight 7 lbs dead (3.184 Kg).
As said, this IS an older example but also at a seriously older price, especially for a Ridiculously well-made gun. They are generally regarded as the best things Germany produce from a main stream manufacturer. 3 point Lock up to the Action with 2 in line and a Cross Bolt anchoring the Top. The Clipped Shoulders to the Action Face are yet another sign to the TOP quality design and Gunsmithing. Double Scallop Backed with Light, Minimalistic Engraving. It takes another level of skill all together to marry a set of barrels to Three faces at once as opposed to a single flat surface. Quite often each internal part is actually individually number matched to the gun too. The stock would need to come off to check but they usually are. Yet another detail and sign of just how high a quality these guns get built to.
Straight Hand Stock with an even straighter and Strong Straight Grain. Admittedly the barrel finish is beginning to show signs of wear but purely the Blueing so just cosmetics. Still perfectly good to use and should remain so for many years with reasonable care.
This IS a CRACKER of a TOP QUALITY shotgun for this money.
£899.99
AS FOR THE STEEL SHOT FIASCO PLEASE DO READ ON:
FIRST THING: Given lead is SO dangerous, can we ask about getting every lead water main replaced? After all, ANYONE with one of those still supplying water has zero choice. LETS PUT THAT QUESTION TO HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE AS WELL AS THE GOVERNMENT.
That is every child’s grazed knee washed out with lead infested water (direct into their blood stream. Every glass of juice. Every cup of tea or coffee, Vegetables washed and cooked in the stuff. ALL that DELICIOUS Gravy. Cloths washed in it. Then we bath in the sodding lead infested stuff!
HOW DO THEY DEFEND THIS FACT?
THEN THERE ARE more and more Non-Toxic Shot alternatives being produced. WITH near matching performances to traditional lead and close to, if not matching pressures. Take a look at Horton Gunmakers for their own entry into this debacle of modern-day shooting. IF it’s so lethally deadly to shooters and game eaters, how is it every old lead water main supply pipe is not getting ripped out and replaced?
To my mind it’s a DISGRACE that the shooting industry did not simply ask that one simple question. NO, they saw an excuse to charge a fortune and that mainly to the detriment of the quarry. Just my opinion …..for what its worth?
Anyway, take a look for yourself:
NOW, to TRY and help speed up availability I WILL also suggest that YOU pass on details to everyone you know who shoots. Then ALL of us start to ask whoever we buy from why they are not DEMANDING cartridges made in this material? Basically VOTE with your WALLET.
YES, it will take a little time for everything to filter through but patience IS a virtue. It also allows everyone who wants to keep hold of their ‘old favourite’ for the rest of their lives. Even pass it on to the next generation and hopefully beyond!
On that note I AM looking into the possibility of stocking some direct from Steve at Hortons. RING for an update and keep checking the web site.
