Merkel Drilling 96K
Merkel Jagd- und Sportwaffen · Rifle · In Production
Also known as: Merkel 96K, Merkel Model 96K Drilling, Merkel DR 96K
Overview
The Merkel Drilling 96K is a German three-barrel combination hunting gun (Drilling) built on a steel boxlock action, pairing two side-by-side smoothbore shotgun barrels over a single rifled barrel. Offered with 12- or 20-gauge shotgun barrels above rifle chamberings such as 7x65mm R, 8x57 IRS, 9.3x74mm R and .30R Blaser, it uses a Greener crossbolt with double underlug locking, a manually cocked rifle barrel with a combined safety and cocking lever, and a double trigger with a set trigger on the front blade for precise rifle shots. It is a versatile driven-hunt and stalking gun that lets the hunter engage both feathered and hoofed game with a single firearm.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3100 g (109.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 980 mm (38.58") |
| Barrel Length | 550 mm (21.65") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Set Trigger |
| Effective Range | 150 m (164 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Engraved |
Calibers
- 12 Gauge · primary — also known as 12GA, 12 Bore, 12/76
- 7x65mm R — also known as 7x65R, 7x65mmR
- 9.3x74mm R — also known as 9.3x74R
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Break Action Barrels
- Safety mechanisms: Tang Safety, Greener Crossbolt Lock, Manual Rifle Barrel Cocking
- Features: Three Barrel Drilling Configuration, Double Trigger, Front Set Trigger, Greener Locking Double Underlug, Suhl Swing Mount Ready, Pistol Grip Stock With Cheek Piece, Hand Engraved Receiver, Takedown Case Available
Service history
Operators
- German hunters
Production
Hand-built hunting gun produced in Suhl, Germany; production figures not publicly disclosed
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Notes
The rifle barrel is manually cocked via the combined safety/cocking slide, an added safety feature typical of modern Merkel drillings. Chokes are typically 1/2 and full, with quarter chokes optional; the action can be prepared for a Suhl swing scope mount for repeatable optic exchange.
Background
Drillings like the 96K descend from a distinctly German and Central-European hunting tradition, giving a single hunter the ability to take a running boar with the rifle barrel and drop flushing birds with the shotgun barrels without changing guns - a practical answer to the mixed-game driven hunts of the region.