Hello from Dallas, Texas

[crs]

I have joined the forum to learn more about a Christmas present- a .405 WCF double rifle based upon a Simson and Co - Suhl 12 gauge shotgun.


It has been fun learning about proof marks to learn the gun was proofed in January 1959. It is also interesting to see the marked similarities between the receiver of my Simson Suhl to the Merkel double rifle as shown in Cal Pappas new book " The Double Rifle Primer".

Pictures of two other German made double rifles in Cal's book, the Blaser and Heym, lead me to ask about their tang slide safety button. Those appear to be much taller (and easier to find and push to the FIRE position) than on mine, which is a typical double shotgun tang slide safety.

Since Simson also made double rifles, were those rifle safety slide buttons exactly like those on their shotguns or were they taller and more obvious? If they were taller, where I might locate one to exchange with mine? Or might the current Merkel double rifle slide safety button possibly fit the Simson?

Any answers to these questions will be appreciated.
crs

[Axel E]

Little wonder your 1959 "Simson" sbs looks like a "Merkel" of the same vintage! At GDR times the commies had all the Suhl factories amalgamated into their "peoples owned combine" VEB Ernst Thaelmann Werke. They used the names of the expropriated former Merkel and Simson companies merely as trademarks to the preferences of foreign markets. The guns were made to the same designs by the same people on the same production lines. Though most often over-unders were marked "Merkel" and side by sides "Simson", they came marked the other way if a larger international customer demanded so.
The Blaser and Krieghoff "safety buttons" are not merely a sliding safety, but cocking slides. You cock the locks by pushing it forward. So it has to be more substantial as a lot of spring pressure has to be overcome on pushing it forward. The Heym safety slide is less substantial, but a bit more so than the Merkel/Simson one. "Simson" and "Merkel" slides are the same flat ones, regardless of sbs shotgun or double rifle.

[crs]

Axel E said "Simson" and "Merkel" slides are the same flat ones, regardless of sbs shotgun or double rifle. "
Thank you for the background information and for clarifying the fact of no difference between DR and DS safety slide buttons.
I guess that if I want the button enlarged, it will require some work on the present Simson one.

The gun was made in 1959 but the mechanicals work as if new(meaning a bit stiff and not "broken in". This may indicate very little use of the gun or may be typical of the Simson guns, but if it does not work more smoothly after some more shooting (and working the safety) I will become more serious about adding some size to the slide.

[sharps4590]

That's a nice looking double and chambered in an interesting cartridge, crs, and welcome to the site!

[crs]

Thanks sharps4590;
It is new and a double takes a bit of getting used to, but that is fun too! I am taking it hog hunting in a few days and hope to bust a big one!

BTW, I also shoot a .45-90 in a Miroku/Winchester 1886 - heck of a cartridge!

[sharps4590]

Yes it is! Mine is in a Shiloh Sharps Montana Rough Rider.