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Merkel B3

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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 B3 series Rifle Review

Merkel B3 is offered as an 'over and under' combination gun or double rifle. Both variants share the same mounting surface on the top of the steel receiver that is suitable for Suhl tilt-on mounts. The lever positioned on the top of the stock opens the weapon when pushed to the right. Spare barrels make it possible for a versatile choice between different calibres.

Differences between B3 and B4 models

The ‘B3 combination’ features a double trigger with a set trigger and the user can choose between a single or double trigger with a set trigger on the 'B3 double rifle'. The B4 model features a fine direct double trigger with the front one always activating the lower barrel and the rear one activating the upper one. Contrary to the B4 model that is equipped with a single lock manual cocking system, there is a steel made double lock with a hand cocking system on B3 that locks into place when the bascule is closed, providing extra safety. Additionally, the B4 model comes with horizontally and vertically adjustable lower barrel which comes as a standard feature.

Possible barrel lengths for the Merkel B3 series are 550 mm (21.6-inch) and 600 mm (23.6-inch).

Merkel B3

Figure 1: Merkel B3, chambered for 8x57 JRS & 12/76 ga (Source: https://www.waffenhandel-hagedorn.de/de/shop/index/203981_b3.html)

Merkel B3 O/U double rifle can be chambered for the following calibres:

.30-06 Spr.
.30 R Blaser
8x57 JS
9.3x74 R

Merkel B3 O/U combination gun can be chambered for the following calibres:

.222 Rem.
.223 Rem.
5.6x50 R
5.6x52 R
.243 Win.
6.5x55 SE
6.5x57
7x57
7x65 R
.308 Win.
.30-06 Spr.
.30 R Blaser
8x57 JS
9.3x74 R

Gauges:

12/76 ga
20/76 ga

Calibre choice depends on the variant.

The rifle is available in the following variants:

Merkel B3 O/U Combination Gun
Merkel B3 O/U Double Rifle

Merkel B3

Figure 2: The receiver of Merkel B3, chambered for 8x57 IRS (Source: https://www.waffen-beer.shop/merkel-b3-s-luxus-e-abzug-8x57-irs-8x57-irs.htm)

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 B3 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 B3.

Merkel B4
Merkel K3
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 mounting solution produced by the German manufacturer INNOMOUNT will fit perfectly on several Merkel models including Merkel B3. It is repeatable and made of light yet durable aluminium which will prevent adding unnecessary weight to your rifle.

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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About the Merkel