merkel bros., suhl question

[mkb42h]

does anyone have detailed knowledge about what was manufactured by merkel brothers, suhl from '39 to '45?

[JoeW]

double post

[JoeW]

You mean apart from the hunting guns they produced shown in period catalogs? You mean war material. I am sure Sauerfan does.

[GWA]

Gebruder Merkel produced sporting arms such as double rifles, double guns and Drillings. I once had a Luftwaffe purchased and marked twelve guage over and under.

[sauerfan]

You mean apart from the hunting guns they produced shown in period catalogs? You mean war material. I am sure Sauerfan does.

Hi Joe,

thanks, but no, I don't know what Merkel did during the war. At least, not exactly. According to a statement given by J. P. Sauer on 1st October 1945 to Soviet interviewers Gebrüder Merkel made and supplied the following parts for the K98k:

Schlosshalter
Zubringer
Auswerferfeder

In translation:

Bolt stop
Magazine follower
Extractor

(The Soviet question answered by Sauer was: who supplied the parts for the K98k? The detailed answer reveals the “who’s who” of Suhl and Zella-Mehlis gun factories. Nearly every known or lesser known company was involved – even Walther).

As Merkel made parts for the K98k, it seems to be likely they made and supplied also parts for other guns, like Walther’s K43 or the MP44, assembled at Haenel. But this is just a guess.

Regards

Martin

[tracman]

I might be wrong, but Gebrueder Merkel's code was COS. I'm rather sure I've seen that marking on MP40 receivers.

[mkb42h]

thanks for the info sauerfan.

tracman, cos is merzwerk's code. a stamping factory in frankfurt

[tracman]

You are right! This is the obvious downside to about 99% of my books and reference material being in long-term storage...