Merklen Chair

I'm considering purchasing the chair in the pictures, but I'm trying to decide if it is pure Merklen or if it is missing it's original legs.  I've seen many versions of this chair, but I've never seen this style of leg on a Merklen anything before.  The finish and patina seem consistent with the rest of the chair, but it could be a decent older refinish job.  Any thoughts?  I'm also curious if anyone has seen recent sale prices of similar Merklen chairs.

I try never to be surprized by the whimsy or awkwardness of a Merklen design.  That is why I was slow to recognize the strange footed replica chairs that started appearing last year as the fakes that they are. (http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/3874364)

Here are two liveauctioneers links to similar Merklen chairs that went for $1700 and $1400.  Similar from the seat up that is. 
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/386158

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/2087080

Very strange legs on this chair but they aren't modern in any way.  These legs would fit aesthetically on many Victorian pieces but on this chair I have to rub my eyes and look again to make certain what I'm seeing.  There are several issues.  Lack of stretchers, uncharacteristic shaped legs, spiral work on legs, feet, and finish.  I have looked through my hundreds of photos of known Merklen pieces and found no chairs without stretchers.  There are some tables with much different legs without stretchers.  These tapered legs don't appear on any other known Merklen piece, however, the Merklens were well known for their imagination and excellence in doing any kind of spiral work.  They patented many machines to help them do tapered spiral work.  They delighted in making unusual and trick pieces for friends and family.  These legs are typical Merklen fare even though they look odd on this chair.  They have the typical Merklen spooling near the foot of the leg.  These tapered feet with no ball and claw appear on several known Merklen pieces.  Since the legs seem to match in wood and finish I tend to believe that this is an original Merklen chair.  What are the sellers asking for this?

Paul,

One could be distracted by the legs in this discussion but look at the two brass bars in the chair back.  One never knows with Merklen pieces but we could be seeing a sick chair that had a series of replacements - or we could be seeing a unique design.  For me the feet just don't fit the overall aesthetic so I lean towards them being replacements.

I went to see the chair in person and it was obvious that the legs were "borrowed" from another piece.  The brass rods were from a bed or other antique piece.  The entire chair had been refinished and the patina was fabricated.  Amazing how a piece can look good in pictures but have many flaws when viewed in person.  Good call Rare Victorian.  Thanks again myransom and Rare Victorian for all the help!

I ran across this chair on ebay today and of course, came here to see if it had already been discussed. ;D  He has apparently decided that it's a "Hunziger" chair now:

ebay auction link

I have a hard time looking at that chair knowing what has happened to it over the years and what it should look like.