Catalog Auction info Auction #141 - Two-Day Sale, March 23rd and 24th (#141) 03/23/2024 9:00 AM EDT Closed Starts Ending 03/23/2024 9:00 AM EDT Auction Info Lot #260 Gebruder Merkel Model 220E Bockbuchse Double Ejector Rifle Owned by Heinrich XLV, Prince of Reuss Click image to enlarge PreviousNextSimilar Items Lot closed - Sold Price (Including Buyer`s Premium):$7,200 Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000 Description Description: serial #15654, 8x60R, 25” Boehlerstahl barrels with bright excellent bores. This fine over-under rifle bears a gold crown over “H / XLV” on the pistolgrip indicating its ownership by Heinrich XLV, Hereditary Prince Reuss Younger Line, who was head of the House of Reuss from 1928-1945 and last male member of the Younger Line branch of Reuss-Schleiz. This family was the traditional head of the small German Principality of Reuss-Gera and its successor entity the Principality of the Reuss Junior Line which existed until the end of the First World War and is now part of Thuringia. There is no apparent proof date on this rifle but based on other examples and the serial number range it was likely made around 1926-27. The barrels retain about 90% original blue showing some scattered light dings, some sparse mild oxidation speckling and mild thinning under bright light. The breeches show some nice floral embellishments and Bohler markings along with “Weichlot” and Rich. Fischer Jr. retailer markings of Gera, which was the capital of the principality. The action shows lovely vibrant case-hardened colors throughout the protected areas, the sides and bottom metal toning to a pleasant mix of silvery case-hardened patina and mild gray-brown. The action is embellished in full coverage with lovely Germanic floral bouquets and fine filigree and the horn triggerguard is intact showing a few small insect bites. The checkered pistolgrip walnut buttstock, forend and smooth side panels remain in very fine condition retaining a healthy amount of original oil finish showing a few mild abrasions and light dings. There is a small tight drying crack forming at the upper tang, some wear along the right side checkering and two thin scratches on the left side buttstock near the buttplate that are mostly unobtrusive and the forend side panels show some slight gaps due to subtle warping from the years. The original horn buttplate is intact showing a little shallow insect damage, length-of-pull is 14” and there is a nice left-side shadowline cheekpiece. The rifle is equipped with sling swivels, non-automatic safety, cocking indicator pins at upper tang and dual adjustable set triggers. Amazingly the rifle has retained its original scope, the underside of the front scope ring properly stamp-numbered matching the rifle, the scope a Zeiss Zielvier #52966 retaining about 95% original blue and featuring German reticle and very fine optics. The iron sights are a fixed u-notch rear and German silver bead front and the action locks up well. All leading male members of this German principality were given the name Heinrich, hence the large numeral of “45th”. Heinrich served as a lieutenant during the First World War in the 7th Thuringian Infantry Regiment Nr. 96 and later became a member of the Nazi party and military officer in the Wehrmacht. He was arrested by the Soviet military at the end of the war and subsequently vanished, believed to have died at an NKVD prison camp. All of the family’s fortune and property were seized by the Soviet government thereafter. This is a very fine Merkel double rifle with some extremely interesting provenance for the advanced German arms collector. (13E11108-5) {C&R} [Tom Devers Collection] (6000/8000) Categories: firearm Terms and conditions TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE The following paragraphs represent the terms under which all sales by Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. are conducted. Bidding on any item in the sale indicates the bidder’s full acceptance and understanding of all terms and conditions of sale. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. has taken great care in the preparation of the descriptions in this catalog. Although we believe everything in the descriptions to be true, we do not guarantee any part of any description. We recommend that the bidders view the items in person and form their own opinions as to condition, originality, origin, etc. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will consider all requests for refunds. If a customer is unhappy with a purchase, we will be happy to discuss a remedy with them. All requests for refunds must be made within 30 days of the sale date. Therefore, it is important that absentee bidders pay for their items in a timely fashion. All requests for refunds received after 30 days of the sale date will not be considered. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. reserves the right to reject any bid in order to protect our consignor’s interests. PAYMENT POLICY All invoices are payable upon receipt. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will accept cash, check, wire transfer, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express as payment for items purchased. Online payment is available for buyers directly through the online invoicing process. Bidders who fail to pay their invoices in full by the 25th day following the sale agree to have their total invoice amount charged to the credit card listed on file. Credit card purchases are limited to $50,000.00 per customer, per auction. 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FIREARM CLASSIFICATION: ANTIQUE - no paperwork required MODERN - Post-1898 firearm which requires an FFL or 4473 with corresponding successful background check in order to be delivered. C&R - for firearms that fall under the ATF Curio & Relics licensing and if purchased by a person with a “C&R License” no paperwork is required. NOTE: Items that meet the age requirements but have been altered from their original configuration may NOT be delivered on a C&R License. ABSENTEE/TELEPHONE/ON-LINE BIDDING • As a service to our buyers, Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will accept absentee bids from bidders who cannot attend the sale. Bidders without prior credit approval are required to submit a 20% deposit prior to bids being accepted (credit cards may be used for absentee deposits). Absentee bids will be bid in a competitive manner and an absentee bidder needs only to outbid another buyer i.e. bidding will not be opened at the maximum bid unless that is the next competitive bid. 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In order to bid by telephone, the bidder must be willing to pay at least the low estimate of the item being bid on. NOTE: Phone bids MUST be arranged by 5:00pm ON THURSDAY prior to the sale. • All absentee/telephone bidder invoices are issued by end of business on the Tuesday following the sale; all invoices are due upon receipt. Invoices are to be paid either by cash or check, or by credit cards listed above. All items not paid for within 20 business days from sale date shall be considered abandoned as well as any deposit that was made on those items and Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. shall have sole discretion as to their disposal. SAFETY WARNING Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. does not warranty the safety of any article it sells. Therefore, it is imperative that, before you use any firearm, purchased here or anywhere else, you have it examined by a qualified gunsmith to determine whether or not it is safe to use. 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