October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
(1925) This superbly crafted double rifle was made in 1925 for the American Military Attache in Berlin, according to copy of factory ledger page and letter. The caliber has a stellar reputation for dangerous game. This rifle has 25-5/8" chopper lump barrels with full length matted rib holding one standing leaf express rear and silver bead front sights. Tops of barrels are engraved "A. F. Stoeger" "New York" and also later "500/ 455 Nitro Express". Breech ends of barrels have 1" triangles of well cut scroll. Barrel flats are stamped with October 1925 German nitro proofs. Bottoms of barrels are stamped with steel type and caliber. Merkel logos "GM" within a shield are on rear lump, water table, and forend iron. Case hardened, scallop backed, boxlock action with large "clamshell" side bolsters which wrap half way around barrels providing considerable lateral support, also features non-automatic tang safety, crossbolt third fastener, pin type cocking indicators, and double triggers (front set). Action is engraved with 70% coverage small scroll with rose bouquet highlights within geometric and scroll borders. Ledger page specifies "English engraving". "Gebruder Merkel, Suhl" is in scrolled riband on left clamshell reinforce, and "Suhler Waffenwerk" is on right. Trigger guard is steel. Beautifully fiddle figured and nicely marbled European walnut pistol grip buttstock measures 14-3/8" over brown Decelerator pad, and features trap steel grip cap engraved to match action, chinstrap transition to butt, elongated diamond shaped flush inlet horn drop points, and point pattern checkering on diamond hand. A silver oval at rear of toe line is engraved "PEGG". Matching beavertail ejector forend with inset slightly schnabeled hard rubber tip, has Deeley release. Checkering is of two sizes in three panels. Drop at heel: approximately 2-5/8". Drop at comb: approximately 1-9/16". No cast. Weight: 10 lbs. 15 oz. CONDITION: Excellent, mostly original. Barrels retain 90% original blue, thinned toward breech ends, and with considerable loss toward muzzle ends from hand wear while carrying over ones shoulder. Action retains 70-80% original case hardening color, strong where protected, thinning and silvering on sides and bottom. Stocks retain over 90% original oil finish with numerous light dents and marks. Additional oil rubbed in mostly on butt, as maintenance. Checkering lightly worn and dark. Bores are excellent, bright, sharp, and shiny throughout. Action is tight. Ejectors are in time. Set trigger works. A lovely safari rifle with some experience. MGM36
Caliber/Bore
500/465 Nitro Express