This very fine Gerbruder Merkel rifle/shotgun combination is from the collection of the late Jim Wilkinson of Prescott, Arizona. Wilkinson grew up spending his summers working the family Granite Dells Ranch in Arizona and returning to his native Illinois for school in the fall. Wilkinson attended the University of Illinois and began his career in his families Central Illinois lumberyards. In 1946 he permanently moved to Arizona to work his own ranch in Granite Dells, and establish the Rifle Ranch, a gun store specializing in custom rifles, handloading, and shooting supplies. Wilkinson was an avid hunter with expeditions to Canada, and Alaska as well as more exciting destinations such as Africa, Afghanistan, India, and Nepal, all in the pursuit of mountain sheep. Wilkinson would become the 10th person in the world to achieve the "Super Slam" which is a collection of 16 different types of wild sheep found on four separate continents. Wilkinson passed away in 2001. Hooded beaded blade front and two leaf (one standing, one folding) rear notch sights, full length matte rib with double claw scope bases, vintage Carl Zeiss Jena Zielvier scope, 2 3/4 inch chamber, automatic ejectors, and full choke. Casehardened bolstered action with Kersten double crossbolt fasteners, H&H pattern hidden thumbnail hand detachable locks, lined cocking indicators, dual triggers (front is set trigger), and automatic sliding tang safety with gold "S" marking. The action and locks have full coverage, tight, detailed scroll and floral blossom engraving, "SUHLER WAFFENWERK/GEBRUDER MERKEL, SUHL" maker's mark on the under side, matching engraved trigger guard and extended tangs. Checkered walnut forearm and pistol grip stock with horn tip insert, engraved latch and forearm shoe, raised right hand cheekpiece, and checkered horn buttplate. Includes matching numbered, 32 inch solid rib, 12 gauge over/under barrel set with 2 3/4 inch chambers, automatic ejectors, single bead sight, and full/full chokes. Also included is a leather bound takedown case with sealed box (10) of DWM 9.3x74R ammunition, unsealed box (20) of Dynamit Nobel 9.3x74 ammunition, oiler, shotgun and rifle snap caps, bore rod, cleaning rod heads, and 1975 dated receipt from Jaqua's Sporting Goods. Stock measurements are: drop at comb 1 9/16 inches; drop at heel 2 15/16 inches; length of pull 14 3/4 inches.

Very fine with 95% original blue finish, small scattered patches of visible edge wear, and some small surface scratches. The action and locks have an overall dark gray patina with well defined engraving, some small traces of light spotting, and darker mottled brown on the triggers and inside of the trigger guard. The wood is fine with moderately worn checkering, scattered small dings throughout, visible chipping out around the tip of the upper tang, and a few deeper dents on the buttstock and horn buttplate. Mechanically excellent. Over/under shotgun barrel set is very fine with 95% plus original blue finish, some minor muzzle wear, small visible surface scratches, and bruising and dings on the forearm slabs. Case is fair with the remains of a French Line sticker on the lid, numerous scuffs and scrapes, some visible staining, and permanent marker.