Merkel O/U trap gun?

[jski]

I inherited a Merkel manufactured in January, 1956 (the “156" marking on the barrel apparently indicates this).

I sent an email to Merkel Jagd- und Sportwaffen GmbH asking about the chokes of the 2 barrels. They responded saying:

We could find out that the choke combination of the O/U-Shotgun with serial number provided are 1/2-1/1.

I assume that means “modified” and “full”, making it a trap gun? But the barrel is only 26”?

 

[jski]

Is Your Shotgun Barrel Long Enough?

 

[Jim Watson]

No.
That is just what it is.
The old standard in mass produced guns was 26" = improved cylinder and modified, 28" = modified and full.
But the high end guns would be whatever you specified.

 

[jski]

Does it matter what the barrel length is vs the barrel chokes? Is a full choke 26” barrel different from a full choke 30” barrel?

 

[Jim Watson]

No, the choke determines the spread, barrel length with progressive smokeless powder doesn’t make much difference in velocity, it’s just balance and sight plane.

 

[Roverguy]

Yes, Mod and Full.

Sounds a nice gun, congratulations. Got a pic?

 

[jski]

My always keen for a good gun deal father-in-law bought this gun (circa 1970) in a Zurich gunshop dating back to a time when gunshops would directly buy a few from the manufacturer.

 

[jski]

The manufacturer’s name and gunshop’s name

 

[Roverguy]

That’s rather cool. Nice gun. Enjoy!

 

[Bill M.]

Nice gun. Definitely not a "trap" model. Full and Mod was a very common hunting combination for many years. I would say the most common chokes. 26" barrels were extremely popular for many years in doubles. Especially, I think, European doubles. I have seen 26" full and full. Times change. Now most guns are made for clay target games. If you want the chokes can be opened fairly inexpensively to whatever you need them to be. And probably remarked to the new constriction. My suggestion is to load 7/8 oz and 3/4 oz loads for it and shoot sporting clays. Pretend it is a 20 or 28 gauge and have fun.

 

[Jim Watson]

Other way, my FLG has a Merkel with hardly any choke and muzzles too thin for screw chokes, even the "thin wall" type.
So he got Briley Companion tubes, 28 ga because his son was a Skeet shooter and always had 28 ga shells. Which left him looking for heavier 28 ga loads for hunting. Should'a got 20s.

 

[.45Coltguy]

That is one fine shotgun you have there. Beautiful.

 

[Bill M.]

"Should'a got 20s."

Still can. It is just costly.

 

[REB]

I have a mid 60s Beretta OU that is also modified and full with 26" barrels. I always thought it was a strange combination. It does make for a good rabbit or squirrel gun.

 

[Mizar]

Modified and full was more or less the standard in European shotguns for quite a long time - it was considered "universal". Of course, we are not talking about bespoke guns here...

 

[jski]

Nice gun. Definitely not a "trap" model. Full and Mod was a very common hunting combination for many years. I would say the most common chokes. 26" barrels were extremely popular for many years in doubles. Especially, I think, European doubles. I have seen 26" full and full. Times change. Now most guns are made for clay target games. If you want the chokes can be opened fairly inexpensively to whatever you need them to be. And probably remarked to the new constriction. My suggestion is to load 7/8 oz and 3/4 oz loads for it and shoot sporting clays. Pretend it is a 20 or 28 gauge and have fun.

No need to pretend; it is a 20 ga. I do intend to take it to the trap range and see how it goes.

 

[entropy]

It'll do just fine if you point it right.
Nice acquisition!

 

[WisBorn]

It'll do just fine if you point it right.
Nice acquisition!

Congratulations on the new to you shotgun. Have fun on the range.
With the 26" barrels it would make a good grouse gun!!

 

[Hookeye]

I like using my 20 ga dove gun in trap.
Just a hunting guy so am happy if I don't get 25.

 

[PzGren]

Merkel sold most of their shotguns for hard currency to German importers, which sold them to hunters. Export guns were usually marked Q1, for best guality. Special configurations could be ordered but half & full chokes were pretty much standard for the field. My 200E is 1/2 &1/1 with a 28" barrel.