Merkel O/U

Look on the barrel flats among the proof marks. I found mention of a Merkel marked 1/2 for modified and VZ for improved cylinder. 3/4 would be improved modified in that system. Some European guns will be marked for bore diameter and choke diameter, the difference is the choke constriction; 1mm is full choke.

Can't judge the price, but it's yours now.

You did fine! I’m not in the market for a Merkel but you’d be hard pressed to get a similar quality O/U for the same money. Merkel is quality through and through!

There are plenty of proof marks and trademarks but I don't see any of the usual choke indicators.
You can measure the muzzle but without a down-hole gauge all you can use for constriction is the book value.
Or shoot the gun and count the pattern.

Might be a good time to invest in a choke gauge. I think I paid $25 for mine at a gun show. 12 and 20 ga.

I think you did good.

What model is it? I've a singe trigger201E 12bore OU, a 211e combi in 12 over 7x57R and a 160e double rifle with extra 20 bore barrels. Here in Sweden and in the UK they sell quite cheaply for the quality you get with Merkels. They seem to bring a much better price in the US. A friend of mine in the UK had an old Merkel 16 bore sidelock OU that must have been made for the American market as it was engraved with white tail deer and turkeys. The engraving was of a very high quality much better than on todays offerings. A couple of weeks ago I was in my LGS and handled a new double rifle drilling 8x57jrs x2 over 20 bore and I have to say that the fit,finish and engraving on that drilling was superb. You may have guessed I'm a bit of a Merkel fan.

This is a gross overgeneralization but German guns tend to be choked tight when they have 28” barrels. Like Full/Full. 26” barrels tend be looser. Like Imp/Mod or Imp/Imp.

Cvans said:

Might be a good time to invest in a choke gauge. I think I paid $25 for mine at a gun show. 12 and 20 ga.
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I’m sure your aware but it should be noted these gauges only measure the muzzle diameter and not the choke constriction. Choke is measured as the difference between actual bore diameter and actual muzzle diameter. Since shotguns of different makers tend to have different bore diameters, a muzzle diameter measurement will only give a certain amount of information.

Still ok for a general idea though. Usually bore diameters are near their nominal spec.

Backbored and overbored barrels are a more recent thing and their specs are commonly available.