Merkel Shotgun Instructions Manual

bore if (assuming the trigger has been pulled with a live shotshell in the
chamber) the shotshell contains no powder, or the powder fails to ignite,
and only the primer charge ignites, resulting in insufficient force to pro-
pel the wad or shot column out of the bore.  Whenever an obstruction
occurs, keep the muzzle of the shotgun pointing in a safe direction and
proceed as follows:
¥  Any shotshells should be removed.
¥  Insert a proper size cleaning rod (without a tip or brush) into the bore
from the...

11
Forearm Bracket
Forearm Latch 
Forearm  Barrel
Muzzle
Forearm Lug
TriggerReceiver Barrel Lugs
Hinge Pin
Buttstock Hinge Pin RecessChamber
Safety Top Lever
Figure 1-Parts Identification 

MERKEL
Over & Under Shotguns
SPECIAL NOTE:
Unlike most firearms, your Merkel shotgun is individually handcrafted by
skilled gun makers who have inherited and acquired their skills from genera-
tions of the master gun makers in Suhl, Germany. Upon assembly you will
notice that the working parts of your shotgun will have distinctive tight fit-
ting characteristics and may therefore, be somewhat difficult to open, close,
and lock the action.
These characteristics are typical of quality hand-fitted shotguns...

Figure 2 Over & Under Safety Mechanism
WARNING! SAFETIES ARE MECHANICAL DEVICES THAT MAY FAIL
OR MALFUNCTION LIKE ANY OTHER MECHANICAL DEVICE!
ALWAYS HANDLE THE SHOTGUN CAREFULLY AND DO NOT PER-
MIT THE SHOTGUN TO POINT IN AN UNSAFE DIRECTION!
ALWAYS TREAT THE SHOTGUN AS IF IT WERE LOADED AND
READY TO FIRE! ALWAYS OBSERVE SAFETY RULES WHEN HAN-
DLING THE SHOTGUN! THE SAFETY SHOULD ALWAYS BE IN THE
ÒSAFEÓ  POSITION  EXCEPT WHEN THE SHOOTER IS ACTUALLY
FIRING THE GUN. THE SAFETY SHOULD BE MOVED TO THE...

When the safety is indexed forward to its most forward position the shotgun
is in its firing mode. In this condition the trigger(s) can be pulled to fire the
shotgun. The letter S inscribed on the tang of the receiver will be covered
and obscured from view in this condition.
When you are not using your shotgun, be sure your gun is pointed in a safe
direction, avoid contact with the trigger and make sure the safety is in its
ÒSafeÓ position to prevent accidental discharge. Maintain the shotgun safety
in...

Figure  3 - Barrel Selector on Single Trigger Shotguns
TOP LEVER
The top lever operates the locking bolt, which securely aligns and clasps
the barrel assembly shut to the receiver for firing. The locking bolt and
barrel lugs are designed for gradual wear of locking surfaces and may
therefore exhibit tight fitting characteristics during initial use. The close
tolerances of these locking surfaces ensure that the breech of the shotgun
remains tight throughout use.
When closing the breech of the action let...

Figure  4 - Disconnectable Ejectors
EJECTORS
Most Merkel Over and Under Shotguns are equipped with discon-
nectable automatic ejectors.  The ejector springs on these models can be
easily deactivated to convert the shotgun from its normal automatic
ejector operation to that of extractors by turning two small slot headed
screws that are located inside the forearm assembly (See Figure 4 ).
When the action is opened in the extractor mode of operation spent
shotshell casings are elevated above the chamber for...

LOADING AND FIRING
Before loading the shotgun, visually inspect your safety and make sure it
is in the ÒSafeÓ position. Never load the shotgun with the safety in the
firing position. Avoid contact with the trigger mechanism while loading
ammunition and at all times prior to firing.
To insert shotshells in the chamber, move the top lever to the right with
the thumb of your firing hand and open the breech. Inspect the cham-
bers and barrel bores to be sure they are free of any obstructions.  Insert a...

Figure 6 - Removal of Forearm
protective lubricants from metal parts on the receiver and barrel assemblies.
Remove the forearm from the barrels by pulling the forearm latch out and
away from the underside of the forearm (See figure 6). Remove all protective
lubricants from the exposed metal surfaces with light gun oil and a cleaning
cloth. After cleaning, place a couple of drops of gun oil on the metal bearing
surfaces of the hingepin, barrel lugs and on the forearm bracket (see figure 1).
The barrels...

Maintain pressure on the barrels to keep the hinge pin aligned with the bar-
rel lug hinge pin recess, and rotate barrels upward to close the action. Release
the top lever at this time.
Pivot the forearm assembly onto the barrels. Align the forearm in its proper
position on the barrels and push the forearm lever upward into its housing.
This locks the forearm back into its original position on the barrels.
ATTENTION!While assembling your shotgun, do not use excessive
force when closing the action! If the...