Project Description
!!!!!SOLD!!!!! This is a 1/2 scale miniature side by side double barrel shotgun believed to have been made in Germany. From the looks and action, I think it is a Merkle. 22 3/4″ long overall with 14 3/8″ barrels which mic at .338″ at the muzzle. Case hardened action and fore end metal, the balance of the steel parts polished and blued. The action, the breech ends of the barrels, the take down lever, the safety, the forearm metal, and the forearm release beautifully engraved, with two pheasants on the right side and two partridges on the left side. The breech end of the top rib engraved with the likeness of a griffon over a banner marked with the initials JGS. I am sure this will identify the maker at some point. Brass bead front sight with a matted top rib. Two piece nicely figured walnut stock & forearm with finely cut checkering on the pistol grip and forearm. The triggerguard, grip cap, and buttplate are buffalo horn. Front & rear sling swivels. Double triggers, with a single extractor for both barrels. The barrels are Nitro proofed, and so marked on the bottom breech end of each barrel just where it meets the action, and dated October 1927 on the bottom of the barrels! The bottom barrel flats of both barrels stamped with crowns over B, S, U, & W, along with 9.1 mm. The left barrel only marked 10/27. Featured in the book “The Art of Miniature Firearms – Centuries of Craftsmanship” on pages 262 – 263 on a double page spread. 1995 NRA Silver Medal Winner, medal # 25, and the medal is of course included! Complete with a miniature brown leather leg of mutton casing, the interior lined in a cream colored felt. The shotgun is in near mint condition, showing only the most minor signs of handling. The case shows some marks and bruises, but is sound, and has perfectly done it’s job of protecting this wonderful miniature shotgun! High quality miniature shotguns are rare, and aside from the few Perazzis, Kreighoffs, and Browning Auto 5’s that were made in Italy by Lucchini & Visini 20 – 25 years ago, this is the only one I have ever seen. It is also the only quality side by side double barrel shotgun I have ever seen. Stock # CR-40. !!!!!SOLD!!!!!
