This gun was built with blued Spezial Gewehrlaufstahl barrels featuring a single brass bead sight on the matted flat vent rib, 1965 dated German proofs, and 2 3/4 inch chambers with automatic ejectors. The barrels show highly attractive deep oak leaf engraving over a matted background at either side of the breech with a mallard on the left and a pheasant cock on the right both in relief gold inlay along with some smaller gold inlays at the base of the rib. The barrels are mated to a gorgeous coin finished action with sideplates to extend the available engraving surface. The action displays more of the exceptional deep oak leaf engraving over a matted background surrounding a trio of relief gold inlaid game scenes before spilling off of the action onto the toplever, pierced triggerguard, and both tangs, all of which show gold inlaid linework. The game scenes consist of a falcon descending on a trio of mallards on the left in a pond scene, a pair of running rabbits on the underside, and a pair of dogs flushing two pheasant cocks on the right in a wooded scene. The gun features a bushed lower firing pin, gold plated double triggers, and a tang mounted manual safety. The wood is all beautifully figured, oak leaf carved, multi-point checkered, and inlaid linework, oak leaves, and a set of mallard with pearl wings. The wood consists of a three-piece forend with engraved and gold inlaid fittings as well as a pistol grip stock with black grip cap, shadowline cheekpiece, and a factory checkered buttplate. A very similarly engraved gun by Gebruder Merkel is on display as part of the Robert E. Petersen Collection at the NRA National Firearms Museum. Barrel and stock measurements (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both measured .665 inches; choke constriction .024/.047 inches; minimum wall thickness .036/.038 inches; 1 5/8 inch drop at comb; 2 5/8 inch drop at heel; 14 9/16 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs. 11 oz.

Very fine, retaining 95% original blue finish with some spotting and patches of oxidation near the muzzles, 99% original coin finish with some discoloration spots on the action, 99% original gold finish, and light handling evidence. The wood is excellent with a few minor marks and sharp carving and checkering. The upper ejector sometimes trips without being fired, otherwise; mechanically excellent. A rare chance to own a German masterpiece!