I have no idea who TAK who was (Theo A. Koch?), but I do know he had an awesome mom. How? Because she bought him the two shotguns you see here.
Both of these OUs were built in Germany and then stocked by Frederick Surkamer, a Chicago-area gunsmith who built custom rifles, worked for Von Lengerke & Antoine and Marshall Fields, and imported & finished drillings and shotguns from Europe.
These O/Us both look very Merkel to me, and even though both listing says the doubles are boxlocks, I bet both of these shotguns are built on Blitz-style actions.
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. 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.
F. Surkamer – Boxlock Ejector – 12 ga – OU – Double Barrel Shotgun:
Manufacture Year: 1928
Ejectors: Yes
Trigger: Double
Grip: Pistol Grip
Forend: Checkered
Lop: 15 3/8 ”
Pad thickness: 0.75 ”
Type of butt: Pachmayr Pad
Drop @ comb: 1 5/8 ”
Drop @ heel: 2 1/2 ”
Cast amount: 1/8 ”
Cast: Off
Weight: 8 lbs, oz
Chamber: 2 3/4 ”
Length: 30 ”
Chokes: IM/M
Proof: ”
Reproof: ”
Rib type: Solid
