Merkel K3

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About the Merkel

Affected by the industrial revolution, the beginnings of the Merkel Jagd- und Sportwaffen GmbH began in 1898 when three brothers Albert Oskar, Gebhard and Karl Paul Merkel created a company under the name Gebrüder Merkel. They started manufacturing firearms in 1905 as a relatively small firm and remained like that during the war as the total number of employees hardly ever exceeded 350. Mainly focusing on export, the company even lost some of its foreign markets, hence pushing the innovativeness in the forefront of their marketing strategy which is to this day notable in their workshop diaries from the time. As the hunting rifles production suffered during the war, they struggled for many years after it ended. However, in the following years, their aesthetically built hunting rifles were again gradually beginning to be sought after in 28 foreign countries. In 1924, one of the most unique and recognizable models – Merkel 303 was presented.

Two years after registering a trademark and gaining rights to the use of the term 'Bock' (over-and-under), Gebhard Merkel passed away in 1933, missing a chance of witnessing the ‘Grand Prix’ prize being awarded to the company in 1937 which increased the export business significantly. In the following year, the management was handed over to Adolf Schade and Ernst Merkel. Their rifles were mostly sold to the upper class - diplomats, famous hunters and industrialists became fond of the company's meticulousness and consistent quality which further broadened Merkel's reputation.

During the Second World War, the market network, consisting of many foreign countries, shrivelled little by little. The war industry was once again preventing the company to focus on what they had been known to do best, subordinating the production of hunting rifles to military weapons manufacturing. At this point, they started adjusting their production accordingly to the market demand, supplying other companies with what the industry needed the most - from carburettor to carbine and rangefinder parts.

Despite the war physically destroying or dismantling a large portion of German factories, Merkel was able to escape such fate, most likely due to its good reputation. At the end of 1945, they restarted the production of hunting rifles, however, due to the Soviet occupation, Merkel successors lost all rights to the company which now operated under the new state of the German Democratic Republic. The Soviets familiarized the company with the two most powerful and influential men at that time - Dwight D. Eisenhower and Nikita S. Chruschtschow which resulted in the first man in space – Juri Gagarin – to be given a Merkel Drilling. Consequently, the socialist regime exploited the company’s notoriety, focusing again on supplying the richest and most prominent people such as Josip Broz Tito, Gamal Abdel Nasser and even Mao Tse Tung. Up until 1987, the production of over-and-under rifles reached 150.000 pieces and the company additionally had a breakthrough in the sport shooting market.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, they struggled with outdated technology, however, foreign investors helped significantly with the expansion of the company which resulted in the development of some of the new products such as HELIX, SR1, K5 and SxS series. Up to this day, the company preserved the tradition of the high-quality, handcrafted character of their rifles combined with a vibrant history that laid the foundation for one of the greatest firearm companies of the 21st century.

Merkel K3 Rifle Review

First presented in 2012, Merkel K3 is a break-barrel, single-shot rifle featuring a silent hand cocking system. Due to its simple design, the rifle is lightweight and compact. The handle placed on the upper side of the stock splits the rifle which gains access to the disassembly lever. Barrels can be changed quickly and effectively, and the forearm is fully removable.

In addition to the pin lug, the tilting bolt is locked in place by a second lug which is positioned behind the hinge. Suhl tilted block locks steel-on-steel, providing a firm and secure seal. On the action tang, there is a hand cocking mechanism that is automatically put in an 'off' position whenever the action is opened. The trigger offers a three-stage weight adjustment for precise performance; however, it is not length adjustable. Behind the trigger guard, there is a small rotating lever that can be turned to three separate positions, allowing the user to choose between different trigger weights, ranging from 680 g (1.5lb) to 1587 g (3.5lb). The receiver is made of light alloy which decreases its overall weight.

Possible barrel lengths for Merkel K3 are 500 mm (19.6-inch), 510 mm (20-inch), 550 mm (21.6-inch), 600 mm (23.6-inch), and 650 mm (25.5-inch).

Merkel K4

Figure 1: Merkel K3, chambered for .308 Win. (Source: http://lutzmoeller.net/Waffen/Merkel/Merkel-K3.php)

Merkel K3 can be chambered for the following calibres:

.222 Rem.
.223 Rem.
.243 Win.
6.5x55 SE
6.5x57
.270 Win.
7x57
7mm Rem. Mag.
7x65 R
.308 Win.
.30-06 Spr.
.300 Win. Mag.
.30R Blaser
8x57 JS
9.3x74 R

The rifle is available in the following variants:

Merkel K4 Jagd
Merkel K4 Stutzen

Merkel K4

Figure 2: The receiver of Merkel K3, chambered for .308 Win (Source: https://www.waffen-beer.shop/media/catalog/product/cache/54a33b5cbf0c5fd08a4d7cc344bcaea9/3/7/371343-3.jpg)

A: /

B: /

C: /

BHU: 0 mm

Ø: /

R1: /

R2: /

Which Rifles Have Interchangeable Mounts

Two-piece mounts

For two-piece mounts to fit on a rifle, mounting surfaces must match in all dimensions except the B distance. B distance can vary because two-piece mounts can be installed and adjusted closer or further apart.

Due to specific dimensions of the mounting surface, Merkel K3 currently does not share any two-piece mounts with other rifles.

Should you have any additional information regarding possible mount matches, please contact us. We would gladly accept your help and expand our database accordingly.

One-piece mounts

For one-piece mounts to fit on a rifle, mounting surfaces on these rifles must match in every dimension. Rifles listed in the category below have interchangeable one-piece mounts with Merkel K3.

Merkel B3
Merkel B4
Merkel K4
Merkel K5
Merkel KR1
Fabarm Dual AL
Fabarm AL Combo
Fabarm Asper 2 Prestige
Fabarm 2 Oiled

Our Recommendations for Mounts

Detachable Repeatable Mounts

This one-piece INNOMOUNT mounting solution is made for various Merkel models that share the same mounting surface with the Merkel K3 rifle, therefore it will fit perfectly on its receiver. The installation and detachment are easy, the mount is made of aluminium and is repeatable which eliminates the need for continuous zeroing-in.

Help us build our riflescope mounts database

If you happen to own this or any other rifle, we would appreciate it if you could help us expand our database by sending us some photos of the rifle receiver (the bare mounting surface of the rifle without the mounts installed). For your help, our company offers a fair return in terms of practical rewards.

Please send us an email for more information. You can contact us here: info@optics-trade.eu

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Merkel K3

Sub Categories

About the Merkel

Merkel K3 Rifle Review

Which Rifles Have Interchangeable Mounts

Two-piece mounts

One-piece mounts

Our Recommendations for Mounts

Detachable Repeatable Mounts

Help us build our riflescope mounts database

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