heers68 (Kevin),

Thank you for your input on the “Doppelbuchse Drilling – Maker Unknown – Help” post. Every once in a while one runs into these things. Der Jaeger (Jerry) thought it might be a Sauer or a Merkel. It does look a little Merkelish to me based on many other Merkels I’ve seen over the years but I can’t be sure. If I ever see another with the italicized initials “EF” after the serial number I hope it has a makers name on it.

I hope I've helped you at least a little with your question about “blitz” actions. I am by no means an expert with these things as I'm learning something new every day. There seems to be some general rules but with the German guns it seems at times that the possibilities are endless. The Germans came up with some very creative designs. It's always interesting to see how the different makers went about designing the rather complex mechanisms found in the actions of the combination guns. The various breech re-enforcing and lock-up designs are something to marvel at as well. Check out the later part of the “Patent Brenneke Drilling – Engraving” post under the Double Rifle Photos & Archive thread to see where it has gone. It has turned into a bit of a discussion about Wilhelm Brenneke’s receiver designs. Fuhrmann added a nice touch by including a link to a very nice article published in Hatari Times. The Brenneke post was my first and I put it under the wrong thread by accident. It should be with the other combination gun posts.

Another blitz action that you may want to see is on the “German Clamshell in .280 Ross” (Double Rifle Photos & Archive). I picked that one up last fall. Blitz actions are said to be the strongest as there is more steel provided in “key” stress areas than in the other designs. With the lock mechanism being mounted to the trigger plate more wood has to be removed from the stock, which is a negative for some. Oh well, nothings perfect.

Regards,

Marcus