Can someone explain what this is?

Tod,
It is the cross bolt locking mechinism in a double rifle or shotgun easily seen when you open the action the cross bolt will extrude on the left side of the action and go back into its recess when closed.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

Ray,

What does the Greener cross bolt engage into?

There is a lug on the back of the barrels that extends into the action as it closes. The lug has a hole drilled through it and the crossbolt will slide into the hole when the action closes.

Kentucky Nimrod,

Would that lug be the same thing as the "doll's head third fastener"?

Try this link: http://www.merkel-waffen.de/default.html

You will see the lug for the crossbolt protrude from the breech of the barrels on the gun pictured on that page.

Fritz

Todd,

Here is a photo of a Greener Cross Bolt.

As you can see there is a shaft that is extended on the left side of the action, behind the standing breech, when open. When closed it will move to the right and go through the hole in the rib extension.

Here is a photo of a Dolls Head...

I don't see why one could not incorperate another in the same gun. Anybody know if that's possible and if it has been done?

Take Care,

-Steve

Steve,

Thanks for the excellent pictures. I think if you look carefully at the second picture (that of the beautiful doll's head) you will see the hole in the action block for the Greener cross bolt. It would appear that the second rifle has both the Doll's Head third fastener and the Green cross bolt.

Todd E

... or some variation that is similar to the Greener cross bolt locks up the doll's head. The side clips can also be seen.

BTW, the Merkel 140 is an Anson & Deeley boxlock with the Greener cross bolt third fastener and side clips, with Krupp steel chopper-lump barrels, with Purdey underbolts and double Purdey underbites in the lumps forming the "first two fasteners" ... for a lot less money than the doll's head piece, I'll bet!

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RAB

I bet the Greener is stronger than the Doll�s head. You can get a real tight action closing with the Greener, e.g. if the locking bolt is slightly conical. The Doll�s head is weakened by the thinner section, and it has to have some play to allow movement.

Just my .02. Hermann

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Did you see the photo of the "Dolls Head" in the closed position? Seamless. Just marvelous. From the beginning, some of the worlds finest craftsmen have been drawn to the gunmakers ranks.

I don't mean to have a negative attitude, but I saw both a Merkel and a Heym at SCI that had sticky cross bolts. A little extra maneuvering was needed to get the Heym to close and the Merkel was just plain stuck.

What makes me nervous is getting some mud stuck in the cross bolt and not being able to get the gun to close during the heat of hunting.

500grains,
A problem. You would think the sales idiots would want to present a fully functional gun at a big show.

Maybe a bit of jewelers rouge or lapping compound on the Greener cross bolt and in the hole it sides through would smooth it up with a little elbow grease.

For $40,000 more than the Merkel you might find an H&H that is already broken in.

Ah, well, the Merkel is tight and strong, and needs to be exercised/shot some, cleaned and oiled.

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RAB

500grains
What do you expect for a measely $9000.00?

Todd E