I just acquired a Merkel Model 30 drilling dating to the 70’s and have a question. I got in new in the box and other than some minor handling marks it appears to be accurate per the description. My question is on the operation of the gun. I have numerous break action guns but this is the only one that I question if the top lever is working correctly. On every break action gun I have when you close the action the top lever will automatically move back to the locked position or very close to it if it is a new gun. This gun does not appear like there is a spring in there at all to move it back to the normal closed position so I am asking is this normal? It will also let you fire the gun when it is not in the closed position so this to me would make a very dangerous situation? Any comment would be much appreciated……Thanks

Mac

Mac

If it is a new Merkel unfired/little fired, gun. it may well be so "stiff" that it does not let the top Lever spring back to fullock, hen the gun is closed.