First shot with the Double

[8 x 60]

A pleasing moment for me captured in these two shots. This is the first time my Son had a shot with my Double. I am glad I captured these images.

He enjoyed shooting it , I was particularly amused when he said "take the scope off, they are for wimps"
Oh to have young eyes!

(What was interesting was playing the video in slo-mo, one can clearly see how the left barrel moves up and to the right and the right barrel up and to the left. (Uploading the video is beyond my meagre technical skills)


OH IGNORE ALL THIS> PHOTOBUCKET WANT TO CHARGE ME . CANT UPLOAD !!! ANY ONE ANY IDEAS?

What A PITA

 

[GuttormG]

Use "upliad a file", the button to the right of "post reply"

 

[crs]

Or use one of many other picture managers.

 

[8 x 60]

Try this

 

[8 x 60]

See?

 

[8 x 60]

Or use one of many other picture managers.

Such as?

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

If the pic is on your computer, click on the "Upload a File" button next to the "Post Reply" button. Then navigate to where the pics are, select them and insert into the reply.

 

[8 x 60]

AHA. Thanks Phoenix Phil (good skills) I learn something everyday!

 

[8 x 60]

Got there in the end. Thanks for the help. (sorry one picture is sideways)

Ade

 

[CAustin]

And what is your double sir? It appears to have some nice engraving on it!

 

[8 x 60]

CAustin

Merkel (Gebrueder Merkel) November 1929 Model XXVI ,. Originally 8 x 57 RS (.318) Re-chambered (sometime before 1940 - proof marks are unclear ) and rebored, a little , to 8 x 60 JRS (.323) sometime later.

My research results as follows;

"This dr was originally proofed for the 8x57 IR, shown by the bore/land diameter 7.8mm. As the crown of the “Repair” proofmark is partly stamped over it, the old proof date is 11/29, November 1929. At a later date, not visible in the photo, but before 1940, it was modernized to shoot the 8x60RS (.323”) cartridge, 7.9 mm bore/land, with the 10 gramm = 154 gr pointed Stahlmantelgeschoss = steel jacketed bullet. The DWM load #110 was advertised with a mv of 920 m/s = 3018 fps, 26” barrel. "

It has quite an interesting history which I have posted elsewhere (but unable to post the link here- forum rules. Understandable)

I use Sierra Pro-Hunters (175grn) over a Varget Charge. Regulates fine either with or without scope at sensible hunting distances. She is old but shoots well, a pleasure to use and a privilege to be the custodian of 'till someone else takes her over (but not just yet I trust!)

Thanks for your interest.

Ade

 

[8 x 60]

Found an image of the engraving

 

[8 x 60]

Other side

 

[CAustin]

Beautiful engraving sir and a fine example of quality craftsmanship of the last century. You should indeed be proud to own such a fine rifle. Thank you for sharing.

 

[cpr0312]

Nice looking rifle!

 

[dchamp]

Beautiful rifle. That is something I would like to get someday in either 8mm or 9.3mm

 

[alby]

Would love to hear the history on your double if you could find the time to post on AH.
Very nice rifle.

 

[8 x 60]

How I acquired my Merkel;

In 2006 I was staying with a friend who runs a shooting school/training establishment in the West County (UK) I had been given the privilege of a look at his personal collection of firearms (wow) . He even had an original Luftwaffe drilling (12 x 12 x 9.3/74) The next time I saw him I asked if he had any double rifles in his collection as at that point I had never seen one in the flesh and would be most interested to have a look.

We went into his armoury and in the corner stood a very shabby gunslip. In it was the rifle you see above. She was looking very neglected and grubby (which surprised me) with a broken trigger guard and a sheen of grime. My friend asked me if I wanted to buy it. I was even more surprised by this as I knew he never sold any of his collection. This rifle was not part of his collection (fortunately!). It transpired the former owner (A certain Sir Peter XXXX) had emigrated to South Africa quite a number of years previously with a view to having the rifle shipped out to him. Unfortunately he died soon after arriving there so the rifle was never sent. His sister handed it in to the local police who were unsure of what to do with it so they lodged it with my friend for safe keeping where it had languished in the corner of his armoury for years. (Nowadays the police would probably scrap a gun in these circumstances!)

After a few weeks haggling a price was agreed. (The executors of the deceased's estate authorised the sale with monies to be kept by my friend to defray the years of storage costs )

I had friend who at that time was an apprentice at Westley Richards who fitted the scope mounts. I had purchased the mounts "in the white" from Germany. They required milling from blank in order to fit the existing bases on the rifle . When re-fitting, the front dovetail the top rib lifted. Not his fault. The area under the rib was extremely rusty. This was probably a blessing as it enabled the rust to be dealt with and rib relayed. The concern was, of course affecting the regulation. Care was taken with a clamp being made to hold the barrels in place. (The barrels had to be re-blacked, I had planned not to do this but it was done out of necessity and she looks all the better for it I think) She shoots magnificently either open sights or 'scope and I had no need to have her re-regulated after the work had been done.
(Scope is 4 x 32 Swaro Habicht)

 

[686]

Awesome find! Great job bringing it back to shooting condition!

 

[CAustin]

This was indeed a wonderful find. You are very lucky to have a friend willing to sell a rifle to you. I hope you have many years of hunting joy out of it!