GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
HIGH QUALITY PRE-WAR DOUBLE RIFLE DRILLING BY GEBRUDER MERKEL OWNED BY MÁTYÁS RÁKOSI (DEFACTO RULER OF COMMUNIST HUNGARY) WITH ZEISS SCOPE. MERKEL DBL RIFLE DRILLING 19150 7.65/7.65/20 BORE MODERN; C&R Cal. 7.65/ 7.65/ 20 ga. 24-3/4" Demi-bloc bbls with full length matted rib, have central portion milled away forming a slight quarter rib, fitted with claw scope bases and single standing leaf express rear sight. Raised ramp holds silver bead front sight with fold down night sight. An area in mid rib milled away, is engraved "Rákosi Mátyás" ("Stalin's best Hungarian disciple", as General Secretary of the Hungarian Communist party, he was in office from 1945 - 1956.). Breech ends are engraved with oak leaves and acorns. Bbl flats are stamped with 1931 German imperial proofs for 7x65 and 20 ga. Coin finished scallop backed boxlock action has rifle/ shotgun selector on top tang, and Greener type side safety. Action also features pin type cocking indicators, crossbolt third fastener, disc set rifle strikers, side clips, reinforced frame, and dbl triggers (front set). Action is nicely engraved with full coverage oak leaves and acorns in shaded background, surrounding vignettes of roaring stag with hind on left side of action, and wild boar being run down by hound on right. Bottom of action is engraved "SUHLER WAFFENWERK" "GEBRUDER MERKEL, SUHL" on arched riband. Trigger guard is of horn. Relatively plain but dense European walnut round knob pistol grip buttstock measures 13-3/4" over ribbed horn Merkel buttplate. Stock features flush inlet diamond shaped horn drop points, point pattern grip checkering, right hand shadow line cheekpiece, and a sling loop on toe line. This area is also decorated with German silver oval with soldered on red cloisonne Communist star. Matching forend with inlet horn tip, has Deeley release. Bore diameter: bottom - .630. Bore restrictions: bottom - .020 (mod). Drop at heel: approx 2-11/16", drop at comb: approx 1-9/16". Cast: approx 3/8 off. Weight: 8 lbs. 4 oz. LOP: 13-3/4". Rifle is fitted with Zeiss Diatal - Z 4 X rail scope with 3 post and crosshair reticle in claw mounts. PROVENANCE: Paperwork about Mátyás. Old listing regarding where this rifle was for sale. CONDITION: Good, as partially refinished. Bbls retain nearly all of an old re-black with some subsequent scuffs. Action retains most of its coin finish, engraving still clear. Horn of trigger guard has worm damage repaired with epoxy. Stocks retain nearly all of a hand rubbed oil finish, sharp edges somewhat rounded, wood somewhat under metal. Checkering is re-cut. Bores are fine. Rifle bores have some erosion at throat. Shotgun bore has some frosting. Action is tight. Scope has numerous light marks in lacquer with some areas touched up. Optically clear. 53191-1 mgm136 (10,000-15,000) W/SCOPE