Merkel records

[Phil C]

[Phil C]

I appreciate any information you can share.

[Phil C]

[Phil C]

28 inch barrels choked .008 and .014. Weight 6 lbs. 3 oz solid matted rib.

[algmule]

Hello

If it says Weichlot, or something similar, it's the below I believe
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There were at least two earlier patents concerning joining barrels involving Weichlot. Both held by an Albert Preuss. I have no idea if the Merkels gleaned anything from those two patents when patenting their idea.

Peter

[Phil C]

Yes I believe you are correct. I looked up Weichlot in the German/English dictionary and I believe the meaning is Soft Solder.

[Phil C]

I also recieved this card information on my Merkel this morning. If some members could help me interput the information I would be most grateful.

[Phil C]

Here is the color copy.

[chapmen]

Wow, what you have is an very, very interesting 301E.

The rifle was made on order from Robert Hübner, Darmstadt, an well known dealer at this time. He get the rifle on 26.10.1942.

But the biggest wow is in the down right corner of the work card:

The carving was made by Paul Merkel himself, the drawings for engraving/carving where made by an very high classed engraver of this time in Suhl: P. Greifzu.

[mike ford]

Phil C,
You are correct that weichlot is soft solder, commonly 50/50 or 60/40 lead/tin.
Mike

[chapmen]

The "Weichlot" soldering was characteristic for Merkel combinated rifles. The soldering was done at temperatures around 230 Grad Celisius- so the barrel steel holds his qualities.


http://www.jagdwaffensammler.de/bock...at-merkel.html

It is still done today, very similar to the early years:

https://www.merkel-die-jagd.de/wp-co...rtfolio_EN.pdf

on side 29 you find some infos on soldering barrels by Merkel.

[chapmen]

There were at least two earlier patents concerning joining barrels involving Weichlot. Both held by an Albert Preuss. I have no idea if the Merkels gleaned anything from those two patents when patenting their idea.

Peter

The Merkel Patent is based on the art of mechanical joining of the barrels and softsoldering. So this Patent stands alone and dont touch the earlier patents from Preuss.

[Axel E]

Phil, you probably expect a more thorough translation of the Merkel card. Sorry, but even I cannot decypher all the old handwriting, but I will try:
Left side:
1 Over-under ejector shotgun
barrel: 71 cm, Boehler Special steel, Cal. 16-70 (2 ¾")
action: Anson boxlock with Holland ejector
(stock dimensions in drawing)
actioned by: ?. Holland (???) up to october 1941
Stocked by R,Nöschel
Stock shaped, finished by R.N. til December 41
Fine tuned by Franz Müller Nov. 41
Right side:
Ordered by Robert Hübner, Darmstadt April 19, 1940
Delivered October 26, 1942
Shooting: top close, bottom distributed
Engraving: Scroll, large curves, grey finish
Other: This gun was carved on pistolgrip and foreend by Mr. Paul Merkel, design and engraving by P. Greifzu
Assembled: master Günzler? August 14, 1942
Einal inspection and tuning: master ???? August 19, 1942
I hope this helps. A robert Hübner, Darmstadt, company still exists, but as a large general sports shop, no guns anymore. I will ask them about any old files the may still have in their archive. Ihave a double rifle signed by Hübner, proofed 1919, in 9.3x74R. If I find out anything about our guns, I will tell you.

[algmule]

Hello

Rudolf Nöschel

EDIT: Franz Müller - Schleusinger-Straße 22

Peter

[Phil C]

Thank you gentlemen for all of the information. The wood carving was what sold me on purchasing this Merkel. Axel if you find any additional information that would be great.