Merkel Drilling Info Please

[Specializedjon]

Came upon an E.A. Merkel "Driller" triple barrel shotgun today. Trying to find age, value, quality. Did some quick internet searches, but they're not as educated as our group. Appears to be old and locks up tight. Below are some barrel marking taken in my truck. I'll take better pics tonight and post them.

Any info you could share would be appreciated

 

[m1shooter]

That's a beauty, you can tell it's well made! Is it three shotgun barrels, that seems odd, I don't know much about drillings, but the ones I've seen usually have a rifle barrel under the 2 shotgun barrels.

 

[Specializedjon]

This one has 2 shotgun and 1 rifle under

It's a beautiful gun that my coworker is selling. He thinks he paid thousands for it, like $20K

I told him it looks fake and I'd give him $400

He didn't laugh

 

[DaveTN]

Those are almost the crappiest pictures I have ever seen of a gun. I thought you were going to go home last night and take better pictures.

 

[Specializedjon]

Tough crowd….Dave, you're in a 6 min timeout

 

[GumbyGuy]

German, wasn't the last prime minister there a she Markel?

 

[Wobblyshot1]

You could pull the barrels to expose the proof marks and date codes. Then look up German proof marks on the internet to determine possible dates, etc. Merkel drillings are high end. Oh yes, the rifle caliber and gauge should be stamped under there somewhere.

 

[348Winchester]

Most likely a 16 gauge with a strong possibility that they are 2 9/16 chambers. The rifle could be any number of calibers. To be exact it would need the chamber cast.

If it breaks down via a lever beneath the trigger guard it is likely older than a model that breaks down with a tang mounted lever.

Those are extremely fine examples of craftsmanship.