The particular lock for swing-action shotguns invented by Franz Jäger of Suhl at the beginning of the 900th century did not immediately have a great success, but it caught it in the last years of the XNUMXth century, still maintaining it with great success. The astrologers would say that a very favorable astral conjunction has occurred, for our part we stop to consider how the new desires of many hunters, especially mountain hunters, are addressed to ever lighter guns, equipped with remarkable precision enhanced by adequate optics. In parallel, the manufacturers have managed to optimize the system by offering exactly what the customers were looking for.
To complete the astral trine also the quotation: the cost of a traditional kipplauf today would be too high for a massive diffusion while the one based on the current basis sees a contained expense, if we focus on models with limited embellishments. The solidity of the structure does not change and this is the important point. In addition to the lightness, we still find a factor of great comfort: the decomposition into two parts (stock / action frame and barrel / fore-end group) of limited dimensions allows it to be stowed in the backpack for approach routes.
The mechanical setting
The genius of the project lies in being able to produce the various parts on CNC machines or in any case without manual intervention: this guarantees identical and replaceable components without adjustments together with a cost limitation, once the operational setting has been amortized. This factor has allowed fair and generous earnings or, at the choice of the manufacturer, an entry on the market at attractive prices. The action is obtained from an Ergal prism with the function of container of the moving parts, among which the particular highlighted is the pivoting L-shaped plug in tempered and chromed steel, equipped with a rear recess: the thrust of a sturdy leaf spring placed on the bottom holds it against a pin recessed orthogonally between the sides of the receiver. In the back of the block there is a mortise and a tiny prominence: a piece moved by the key works on both of them, acting as a lock for the weapon and as a stop for the block itself. The vertical arm of the L, which occludes the cartridge chamber, contains the pinned firing pin and has the upper profile in a semicircle. A square hole appears in the horizontal arm which integrates the seal by lifting the rotation pin, made of steel and then cemented with fixing by means of two opposing screws.
The monoblock and the barrel
The long monoblock machined from a solid steel cutter acts as a support to the barrel, which is hot inserted, and offers the specific bases for the attachment of the optics; it also integrates the details observed in the L-shaped piece just described. Above the rear projection has a pocket in which the rounding of the pivoting block is inserted, below two tenons protrude, the first of which hooks to the pin ensuring the rotation of the barrel while the second, squat and square section, is positioned in the similar hole section obtained in the horizontal arm of the block counteracting the forward thrust under shot.
The most critical point is undoubtedly the upper one where the pressure of exuberant cartridges could create play: this eventuality would be highlighted by the unexpected lowering of the beaten point. This seems to have been the factor that overshadowed the origins of the discovery: the precision of the workmanship and above all the current steels and thermochemical treatments have allowed the success of recent years. Let's look again on the left side of the monoblock the seat where the extractor stem slides, moved in the opening by the contrast with a peg inserted behind the hinge: the sturdy gripping block works perfectly thanks to the choice of a collar cartridge.
Also to be noted is the integral pin opening key for which a convenient decreasing effort is provided: an extra pressure beyond the maximum point allows the internal block to be removed from its seat. Behind the key, located in the upper side of the receiver, is the slide for arming the battery: in the forward position you are ready to fire while, if you want to postpone the shot, with another slight pressure forward you unlock the mechanism by re-extending the spring of the striking mass; same effect if the opening key is operated.
The barrel with a round section and barely hinted taper is 60 cm long with six right-handed rifling obtained by rotomamming: the quality of the work is highlighted by the excellent shooting performance. We have already mentioned the basics for the pivot attack of the telescope: the choice fell on a Nikon Monarch 3 with values 3-16 × 50, equipped with the BDC reticle for the compensation of the ball fall, specific, as reported by the House, for long range hunting shooting. As in every German hunting rifle, there are metal sights placed on raised bases with the square notch, adjustable in drift on the dovetail base, to which the fixed prismatic front sight is added. Approximately halfway through the barrel is the ring with the pin-type sling attachment: sturdy and reliable system.
The stock
The model in question represents the first price of the House in this specific sector: nevertheless the walnut used shows first of all an appreciable compactness and then a grain correctly arranged in the longitudinal direction. The line is classic with a pleasantly designed cheek rest, a well-arched pistol grip and an inclined guard, end mirrors with a refined joining profile to the receiver. The axis is quite straight so as to favor the maintenance of the sight of the target when firing. The buttplate in thick black soft rubber offers good support on the ground and greatly dampens the recoil sensation, rather brilliant considering the caliber adopted and the reduced weight of the whole. The prismatic section rod allows an adequate grip to the weak hand in a possible shot to the run and likewise a stable support for the targeted one. Convenient release entrusted to a large black button on the front in the moderate swelling of the inevitable beak.
final Thoughts
The owner has chosen to combine the kipplauf with a cartridge suitable for most of the European game, choosing it rightly among those with a collar for their specific functionality with the extractor of a tilting door. The .30R Blaser is a mixture of the purely Anglo-Saxon size, or rather the American one, and the all-German cartridge case. We talk about it separately, anticipating how from roe deer to deer has never given problems: with the RWS Evolution Power Bonded cartridges of 11,9 g (184 gr) you do not ruin the roe's body, you have a good grazing for long shots at chamois and then mouflon or wild boar, fallow deer or deer there is never a lack of energy and harmful power. An unusual combination, therefore, but of undoubted effectiveness.
Data Sheet
Manufacturer: Suhler Jagd und Sportwaffen GmbH, Schützenstrasse 26, D - 98527 Suhl (Germany) - tel. +49.36818540 - fax +493681854201 - www.merkel-die-jagd.de
Importer: Bignami spa, via Lahn 1, 39040 Ora (BZ) - tel. 0471/803000 - fax. 0471/810899 -www.bignami.it - [email protected]
Model:K1
Type: single shot rifle with rifled barrel
operation: barrel tilting
Percussion: battery arming with external key
Extractor: with broadly developed claw moved by the opening of the barrel
Quarrying: manual
canna: in carbon steel - length 60 cm - 6 right-hand lines - interchangeable for groups of gauges
Shoot: direct with single trigger - adjustable to three weight values (approx. 500/800/1050 g)
Safety: automatic thanks to the manual battery arming system
Look: Adjustable drift U-shaped rear sight - Fixed prismatic front sight
Stocking: in two parts in walnut wood with medium pitch knurling, soft rubber buttplate - fixed pin links
CALIBRO: .30R Blaser
Materials: Ergal for the action - steel for barrel and locking system - walnut wood for the stock
Weight :: Approx. 3.050 g
Finishes: action frame with light engravings and clear matt surface - bluing for barrel and accessories