Michael Yardley is immediately impressed by this lightweight sidelock side-by-side and finds that its slightly eccentric styling proved comfortable – and no impediment to performance
THE Merkel Model 60e sidelock side-by-side is a 20-bore, 30in-barrelled gun with straight-hand grip and double triggers. It comes from the extensive stock of Horton guns in Birmingham, imported into the UK by Viking Arms of Harrogate (both firms have a long association with Merkel). It weighs in at just under 6lb 3oz, light by modern standards, and has a profusely scroll-engraved backaction mechanism with Greener top bolt.
First impressions are good. This attractive, well-presented gun might be seen as a Germanic take on the classic London carriage-trade product. I must declare an interest, before proceeding further. In 2013, I went over to Merkel’s factory to help it to specify its shotgun range. Some interesting, rejigged models arose out of this, including a gun not unlike the test gun. I had always thought, and still think, that Merkel shotguns could go a long way in the UK market with a slightly revised specification. Well made and engineered, they tended to have Continental stock measures (short and low in the comb) combined with unfamiliar styling.
This story is from the April 2018 edition of The Field.
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This story is from the April 2018 edition of The Field.
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