NEW_GUY, thanks for the clarification on the Rigby's use of the Merkel action, and the excellent pictures! The other thing on the DIMI-BLOCK not being a chopper lump, but a shoelump like the Heym, is finally clarified as well! I saved your post, and the pictures for my files as well.

I was told by a well known person who has disasembled one of the new Rigbys and he also said it was pure Merkel in the action. He said the only difference was they squared off the back of the action's scallops to make it easier to fit the wood, and did a little polishing of parts.
I have a couple of Merkel double rifles, but haven't disassembled them to look inside. The only problem I've had with one of the Merkels is, the trigger for the right barrel on my 14E 9.3X74R has suddenly become very hard to pull. Since that trigger is a set trigger, I'm at a loss to think what could have gone wrong! I've had this rifle for five years, and no problem till this. I guess I better look inside!

Has anyone here opened one of the Merkel double rifles? If so, should the action be un-cocked before opening, or left cocked? I would assume it would be un-cocked!