I’ve been on a bit of German/Prussian shotgun kick the past few months. The more time I spend looking at these doubles, the more I like them. Lately, I seem to run into one every few weeks that I would love to own.
This double barrel by Frederic Surkamer/Merkel is the latest one I’ve fallen for. If I only I could come up with a reason to own it — and the cash to buy it. Check out how beautifully made it is — stout as NFL linebacker but still elegant. What a gun!
Frederick Surkamer Merkel 301-E 12 Gauge Over-Under Shotgun: A Frederick Surkamer, Chicago 12 bore on a Merkel 301-E boxlock action proved in January of 1929 with 30″ F/XF Krupp Steel ejector barrels with raised file cut solid rib with ivory mid and front beads. Bores are as new measuring .724 top and bottom. Choked .046 top and .040 bottom. This is the best of Merkel boxlocks with double underlugs and double bite. Double Kersten top lock. Bushed strikers. Triggers turned for the right hand.
Extensive and very well done German Acanthus leaf and gamebird engraving. Stocked in English Walnut. Two piece forend with wrap around checkering. Pistol grip buttstock with arrowhead points and Monte Carlo. 15 3/8″ LOP to a solid 5/8″ pad. DAC-1 1/2″ DAH-2 1/2″ although effectively less with the Monte Carlo configuration.
Frederick Surkamer was a noted Chicago gunsmith born in Illinois in 1871 who was a contemporary of Fred Adolph and R.G.Owen. He built custom rifles on Springfield and Mauser actions. He did work for the great sporting firms Von Lengerke & Antoine and Marshall Fields in Chicago. He also imported drillings and shotguns from Europe and stocked these guns.
The pistol grip cap reads “From Mother TAK [Theo A. Koch] 1928. This is an outstanding Pre -War gun and a true piece of Americana in outstanding condition showing minimal use. Overall condition is 99%. The previous owner had this gun for 50 years and acquired it from the original owner. It is an outstanding collector piece and well configured for Sporting Clays or Live Birds. Price: $4995
