Merkel Model 161

About the Merkel Model 161

The Merkel Model 161 is a German side-by-side double rifle built on a petite, lightweight sidelock action for driven and mountain hunting. It is the sidelock counterpart to the boxlock Model 141 and a smaller-caliber sibling of the dangerous-game Model 160, chambered in standard European rifle cartridges such as 9.3x74mm R, 7x65mm R, .30-06 Springfield, .30R Blaser and 8x57IRS. The rifle uses hand-detachable sidelocks, double under-lugs with a Greener cross-bolt for a strong lock-up, a front set trigger, and a quarter-rib express sight, with automatic ejectors offered as an option. At roughly 3 kg it is a fast-handling two-shot rifle prized for quick follow-up shots on moving game at short range.

Merkel's Suhl gunmakers have offered petite-frame sidelock double rifles like the 161 for hunters who want the instant second shot of a double in a light, standard-caliber package suited to European driven hunts rather than African plains game.

Merkel Model 161 specifications

Built on Merkel's smaller 28-gauge-size double gun frame, making it noticeably lighter than the 160-series dangerous-game rifles. Barrels are regulated as a pair to converge at typical driven-hunt distances; additional chamberings are available on request. Overall length depends on the ordered barrel length and stock dimensions.