Circa 1952. A very nice game gun with 26” blued "Special Laufstaul" steel barrels. Barrels are nicely fit with ejectors, 2 - 3/4” chambers, a tapered, matted, machined solid top rib, solid side ribs, and a brass bead front sight. The barrels are choked Improved Modified in top barrel and Modified in bottom. Right side of the barrel near the breech is engraved “GERMANY” while the left side is engraved “GEBRUDER MERKEL SUHL”. Bottom barrel marked “34298”, “20”, “SPECIAL LAUFSTAUL”, “Weichlot”. Barrel lumps stamped with Suhl proof house nitro-proof marks dating from January, 1952. Barrels are fit with a 3-piece forend. Locks with handsome game scenes dogs, birds, and fox in woodland scenes on stippled ground with supporting oak leaves on action body, forend iron, latch and trigger guard. Bottom of the action body has “GEBRUDER MERKEL SUHL” in a banner. The bolstered sidelock action is fit with double Kersten fasteners, cocking indicators, and double triggers with front articulated. Top lever is also engraved with oak leaves and checkered, slide safe is checkered. Gun is auto-safe. The top of the action body’s right wall is stamped proof marks while the left is stamped “34298”. Rich reddish, brown stock is carved with oak leaves at rear of the locks and built with fine checkered straight hand grip, silver oval and finished by a leather covered pad. Double triggers are protected by blued, oak leaf engraved trigger guard, which extends to a long, blued oak leaf and scroll engraved bottom strap. Internal iron metal is engraved “34298” and has Merkel’s crested logo. Gun comes in wooden case which as a pair of dummy rounds inside. CONDITION: Very good. Barrels with mostly all blue. Bores are very good. Action and triggers are sound with snap caps. Stock is very good. Forend is very good. Case very good. Accessories: Case Barrel Length: 26" Barrel Wall Thickness: (O) .035 (U) .032 Chamber: 2 - 3/4" Choke: (O) .026 (Improved Modified) (U) .013 (Modified) Drop at Comb: 1 - 1/2" Drop at Heel: 2 - 3/8" FFL Status: Curio & Relic Gauge: 20 Internal Bore Diameter: (O) .631 (U) .631 Length of Pull: 14" Manufacturer: Gebruder & Merkel Model: 304 E Serial Number: 34298 Weight: 6 lbs 2 oz