Last year we ran a competition to giveaway a Merkel K5 Arabesque single-shot rifle, one of the first of its kind to hit the UK, in our charity prize draw.

We are delighted to announce that Toby, who was drawn as the winner, has collected his Merkel K5 Arabesque from Portsmouth Gun Centre.

Toby is over the moon with his new rifle.

"I was surprised and excited when I found out that I'd won the competition. I'm not one to win anything usually!"

Although Toby hasn't been out hunting with the Merkel K5 yet, he has zeroed the rifle ahead of a planned trip to the Highlands this summer to put the rifle through its paces.

Toby's initial thoughts on the rifle are positive.

'"It's very lightweight, has great handling and points beautifully. It's going to be a nice rifle to carry for long periods. I love the simple and elegant design. It has a great decocking lever and breaks down incredibly easily which makes it easy to travel with. The engraving and woodwork are fantastic quality too."

The K5 Arabesque is a luxury rifle from the premium brand Merkel, a company renowned globally for its traditional craftsmanship in the world of gun making. With a deluxe grade 8 stock this rifle has an RRP of £6300.

All proceeds from the charity rifle auction went to the Simon Cooper fund. Simon fell at his home in the summer of 2020 and suffered injuries that left him paralysed from the neck down. Simon is a British Army veteran and former REME armourer who spent 21 years in the forces serving in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. His family and friends are raising money to help his family modify their home to accommodate his disability.

In excess of £62,000 has been raised so far and you can still donate via Simon's GoFundMe page.

What makes the Merkel K5 a great hunting rifle?

Old meets new, combining traditional European style with modern manufacturing techniques that
delivers an ultra-accurate rifle with classic lines appealing to the most discerning of hunters,
especially those who incorporate travel into their hunting colander.The Arabesque model and its silver action are lightly embellished with delicate scroll engraving that is enough to catch anyone’s attention without being too ostentatious complementing its grade 6 deluxe traditional Bavarian stock and chambered in the very versatile 30,06 SP.

• Deluxe grade 8 stock
• Arabesque engraving
• Weight 2.26kg
• Removable sights
• Threaded barrel M15x1
• Adjustable trigger