Fabulous Merkle Model 201E Custom Engraved and Carved Shotgun
serial #46030, 12ga., 28" barrels choked full & full with bright excellent bores. Barrels retain 99% plus lovely quality hot rust blue, the right side of the top tube showing some very very minor oxidation. The frame shows 99% vivid case colors. The workmanship on this shotgun is stunning. The gun features nine gold inlays along with some gold bordering. In addition to the factory engraving on the frame the gun has had further embellishment by the addition of three waterfowl inlays, a woodcock, a setter with pheasant in mouth and two grouse on the top lever. The top lever shows lovely gold line border engraving with stippling and two carved-in-relief grouse, the most stunning of these is flying within the pierced top lever thumb piece. The safety as well features an inlaid and carved gold border. The rear-most portion of the barrel rib has a gold inlaid fleur-di-lis. Along the toeline is a blueed steel monogram plate with three gold inlaid monogrammed initials "SJK". The checkered European walnut, capped pistol grip stock and three-piece field style forend rate excellent showing a top-quality refinish. The left side of the butt shows a rounded cheekpiece, the right side has been masterfully carved with a game scene, the animals are carved ivory, showing a pointer and two pheasants. The pistol grip cap as well is ivory with a steel inlay of the setter with pheasant, this encircled by a gold inlaid border. Even the trigger guard has been wonderfully sculpted and pierced and is engraved in nice quality flowing scroll. The rib wears an ivory bead which is surrounded by a 10th gold inlay in a dual-fleur-di-lis pattern. The embellishments on this gun are lovely, the craftsman has plied his art carefully and the results are tastefully understated and not gaudy in any way. The gun of course features cocking indicators, ejectors and an articulated front trigger. Proofed in 1957. (2495-1) {C&R} (3000/5000) SOLD FOR $3450.00 |
||||||||||
 |
