diff --git a/apps/opencs/CMakeLists.txt b/apps/opencs/CMakeLists.txt
index 833ca6551..091b566d1 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/apps/opencs/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -35,14 +35,18 @@ opencs_hdrs_noqt (model/world
 
 
 opencs_units (model/tools
-    tools reportmodel
+    tools reportmodel mergeoperation 
     )
 
 opencs_units_noqt (model/tools
     mandatoryid skillcheck classcheck factioncheck racecheck soundcheck regioncheck
     birthsigncheck spellcheck referencecheck referenceablecheck scriptcheck bodypartcheck
     startscriptcheck search searchoperation searchstage pathgridcheck soundgencheck
-    mergeoperation
+    mergestages
+    )
+
+opencs_hdrs_noqt (model/tools
+    mergestate
     )
 
 
diff --git a/apps/opencs/editor.cpp b/apps/opencs/editor.cpp
index 0b385f275..7f9e2746e 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/editor.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/editor.cpp
@@ -21,7 +21,8 @@
 CS::Editor::Editor ()
 : mUserSettings (mCfgMgr), mDocumentManager (mCfgMgr),
   mViewManager (mDocumentManager), mPid(""),
-  mLock(), mIpcServerName ("org.openmw.OpenCS"), mServer(NULL), mClientSocket(NULL)
+  mLock(), mMerge (mDocumentManager),
+  mIpcServerName ("org.openmw.OpenCS"), mServer(NULL), mClientSocket(NULL)
 {
     std::pair<Files::PathContainer, std::vector<std::string> > config = readConfig();
 
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/doc/document.cpp b/apps/opencs/model/doc/document.cpp
index a331706bc..67ecbd641 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/doc/document.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/doc/document.cpp
@@ -2294,6 +2294,8 @@ CSMDoc::Document::Document (const VFS::Manager* vfs, const Files::ConfigurationM
 
     connect (&mTools, SIGNAL (progress (int, int, int)), this, SLOT (progress (int, int, int)));
     connect (&mTools, SIGNAL (done (int, bool)), this, SLOT (operationDone (int, bool)));
+    connect (&mTools, SIGNAL (mergeDone (CSMDoc::Document*)),
+            this, SIGNAL (mergeDone (CSMDoc::Document*)));
 
     connect (&mSaving, SIGNAL (progress (int, int, int)), this, SLOT (progress (int, int, int)));
     connect (&mSaving, SIGNAL (done (int, bool)), this, SLOT (operationDone (int, bool)));
@@ -2388,7 +2390,7 @@ void CSMDoc::Document::runSearch (const CSMWorld::UniversalId& searchId, const C
     emit stateChanged (getState(), this);
 }
 
-void CSMDoc::Document::runMerge (const boost::filesystem::path& target)
+void CSMDoc::Document::runMerge (std::auto_ptr<CSMDoc::Document> target)
 {
     mTools.runMerge (target);
     emit stateChanged (getState(), this);
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/doc/document.hpp b/apps/opencs/model/doc/document.hpp
index 901a8e3e4..3eaa5bb14 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/doc/document.hpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/doc/document.hpp
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ namespace CSMDoc
 
             void runSearch (const CSMWorld::UniversalId& searchId, const CSMTools::Search& search);
 
-            void runMerge (const boost::filesystem::path& target);
+            void runMerge (std::auto_ptr<CSMDoc::Document> target);
 
             void abortOperation (int type);
 
@@ -158,6 +158,10 @@ namespace CSMDoc
 
             void progress (int current, int max, int type, int threads, CSMDoc::Document *document);
 
+            /// \attention When this signal is emitted, *this hands over the ownership of the
+            /// document. This signal must be handled to avoid a leak.
+            void mergeDone (CSMDoc::Document *document);
+
         private slots:
 
             void modificationStateChanged (bool clean);
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/doc/documentmanager.cpp b/apps/opencs/model/doc/documentmanager.cpp
index 02d4ab5c0..03758dc6a 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/doc/documentmanager.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/doc/documentmanager.cpp
@@ -57,10 +57,24 @@ bool CSMDoc::DocumentManager::isEmpty()
 void CSMDoc::DocumentManager::addDocument (const std::vector<boost::filesystem::path>& files, const boost::filesystem::path& savePath,
     bool new_)
 {
-    Document *document = new Document (mVFS, mConfiguration, files, new_, savePath, mResDir, mEncoding, mResourcesManager, mBlacklistedScripts);
+    Document *document = makeDocument (files, savePath, new_);
+    insertDocument (document);
+}
+
+CSMDoc::Document *CSMDoc::DocumentManager::makeDocument (
+    const std::vector< boost::filesystem::path >& files,
+    const boost::filesystem::path& savePath, bool new_)
+{
+    return new Document (mVFS, mConfiguration, files, new_, savePath, mResDir, mEncoding, mResourcesManager, mBlacklistedScripts);
+}
 
+void CSMDoc::DocumentManager::insertDocument (CSMDoc::Document *document)
+{
     mDocuments.push_back (document);
 
+    connect (document, SIGNAL (mergeDone (CSMDoc::Document*)),
+        this, SLOT (insertDocument (CSMDoc::Document*)));
+
     emit loadRequest (document);
 
     mLoader.hasThingsToDo().wakeAll();
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/doc/documentmanager.hpp b/apps/opencs/model/doc/documentmanager.hpp
index f9b18bfe6..4f6b2b2c9 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/doc/documentmanager.hpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/doc/documentmanager.hpp
@@ -56,6 +56,15 @@ namespace CSMDoc
             ///< \param new_ Do not load the last content file in \a files and instead create in an
             /// appropriate way.
 
+            /// Create a new document. The ownership of the created document is transferred to
+            /// the calling function. The DocumentManager does not manage it. Loading has not
+            /// taken place at the point when the document is returned.
+            ///
+            /// \param new_ Do not load the last content file in \a files and instead create in an
+            /// appropriate way.
+            Document *makeDocument (const std::vector< boost::filesystem::path >& files,
+                const boost::filesystem::path& savePath, bool new_);
+
             void setResourceDir (const boost::filesystem::path& parResDir);
 
             void setEncoding (ToUTF8::FromType encoding);
@@ -84,6 +93,10 @@ namespace CSMDoc
             void removeDocument (CSMDoc::Document *document);
             ///< Emits the lastDocumentDeleted signal, if applicable.
 
+            /// Hand over document to *this. The ownership is transferred. The DocumentManager
+            /// will initiate the load procedure, if necessary
+            void insertDocument (CSMDoc::Document *document);
+
         signals:
 
             void documentAdded (CSMDoc::Document *document);
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/doc/operation.hpp b/apps/opencs/model/doc/operation.hpp
index 703f9d44b..3c86a6e23 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/doc/operation.hpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/doc/operation.hpp
@@ -83,7 +83,9 @@ namespace CSMDoc
 
             void executeStage();
 
-            void operationDone();
+        protected slots:
+
+            virtual void operationDone();
     };
 }
 
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/tools/mergeoperation.cpp b/apps/opencs/model/tools/mergeoperation.cpp
index 65cfdb4ff..c93452dad 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/tools/mergeoperation.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/tools/mergeoperation.cpp
@@ -2,14 +2,25 @@
 #include "mergeoperation.hpp"
 
 #include "../doc/state.hpp"
+#include "../doc/document.hpp"
+
+#include "mergestages.hpp"
 
 CSMTools::MergeOperation::MergeOperation (CSMDoc::Document& document)
-: CSMDoc::Operation (CSMDoc::State_Merging, true)
+: CSMDoc::Operation (CSMDoc::State_Merging, true), mState (document)
 {
+    appendStage (new FinishMergedDocumentStage (mState));
+}
 
+void CSMTools::MergeOperation::setTarget (std::auto_ptr<CSMDoc::Document> document)
+{
+    mState.mTarget = document;
 }
 
-void CSMTools::MergeOperation::setTarget (const boost::filesystem::path& target)
+void CSMTools::MergeOperation::operationDone()
 {
+    CSMDoc::Operation::operationDone();
 
+    if (mState.mCompleted)
+        emit mergeDone (mState.mTarget.release());
 }
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/tools/mergeoperation.hpp b/apps/opencs/model/tools/mergeoperation.hpp
index 84526b2f2..dc958d31b 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/tools/mergeoperation.hpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/tools/mergeoperation.hpp
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 #ifndef CSM_TOOLS_MERGEOPERATION_H
 #define CSM_TOOLS_MERGEOPERATION_H
 
-#include <boost/filesystem/path.hpp>
+#include <memory>
 
 #include "../doc/operation.hpp"
 
+#include "mergestate.hpp"
+
 namespace CSMDoc
 {
     class Document;
@@ -14,14 +16,27 @@ namespace CSMTools
 {
     class MergeOperation : public CSMDoc::Operation
     {
+            Q_OBJECT
 
+            MergeState mState;
 
         public:
 
             MergeOperation (CSMDoc::Document& document);
 
             /// \attention Do not call this function while a merge is running.
-            void setTarget (const boost::filesystem::path& target);
+            void setTarget (std::auto_ptr<CSMDoc::Document> document);
+
+        protected slots:
+
+            virtual void operationDone();
+
+        signals:
+
+            /// \attention When this signal is emitted, *this hands over the ownership of the
+            /// document. This signal must be handled to avoid a leak.
+            void mergeDone (CSMDoc::Document *document);
+
     };
 }
 
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/tools/mergestages.cpp b/apps/opencs/model/tools/mergestages.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..16ea0495a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/tools/mergestages.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+
+#include "mergestages.hpp"
+
+#include "mergestate.hpp"
+
+CSMTools::FinishMergedDocumentStage::FinishMergedDocumentStage (MergeState& state)
+: mState (state)
+{}
+
+int CSMTools::FinishMergedDocumentStage::setup()
+{
+    return 1;
+}
+
+void CSMTools::FinishMergedDocumentStage::perform (int stage, CSMDoc::Messages& messages)
+{
+    mState.mCompleted = true;
+}
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/tools/mergestages.hpp b/apps/opencs/model/tools/mergestages.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..138b89d72
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/tools/mergestages.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+#ifndef CSM_TOOLS_MERGESTAGES_H
+#define CSM_TOOLS_MERGESTAGES_H
+
+#include "../doc/stage.hpp"
+
+namespace CSMTools
+{
+    struct MergeState;
+
+    class FinishMergedDocumentStage : public CSMDoc::Stage
+    {
+            MergeState& mState;
+
+        public:
+
+            FinishMergedDocumentStage (MergeState& state);
+
+            virtual int setup();
+            ///< \return number of steps
+
+            virtual void perform (int stage, CSMDoc::Messages& messages);
+            ///< Messages resulting from this stage will be appended to \a messages.
+    };
+}
+
+#endif
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/tools/mergestate.hpp b/apps/opencs/model/tools/mergestate.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4482ba6f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/tools/mergestate.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+#ifndef CSM_TOOLS_MERGESTATE_H
+#define CSM_TOOLS_MERGESTATE_H
+
+#include <memory>
+
+#include "../doc/document.hpp"
+
+namespace CSMTools
+{
+    struct MergeState
+    {
+        std::auto_ptr<CSMDoc::Document> mTarget;
+        CSMDoc::Document& mSource;
+        bool mCompleted;
+
+        MergeState (CSMDoc::Document& source) : mSource (source), mCompleted (false) {}
+    };
+}
+
+#endif
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/tools/tools.cpp b/apps/opencs/model/tools/tools.cpp
index 681f74404..78b052813 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/tools/tools.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/tools/tools.cpp
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ void CSMTools::Tools::runSearch (const CSMWorld::UniversalId& searchId, const Se
     mSearch.start();
 }
 
-void CSMTools::Tools::runMerge (const boost::filesystem::path& target)
+void CSMTools::Tools::runMerge (std::auto_ptr<CSMDoc::Document> target)
 {
     // not setting an active report, because merge does not produce messages
 
@@ -203,6 +203,8 @@ void CSMTools::Tools::runMerge (const boost::filesystem::path& target)
     {
         mMergeOperation = new MergeOperation (mDocument);
         mMerge.setOperation (mMergeOperation);
+        connect (mMergeOperation, SIGNAL (mergeDone (CSMDoc::Document*)),
+            this, SIGNAL (mergeDone (CSMDoc::Document*)));
     }
 
     mMergeOperation->setTarget (target);
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/tools/tools.hpp b/apps/opencs/model/tools/tools.hpp
index 952099928..2302fe2e0 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/tools/tools.hpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/tools/tools.hpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #ifndef CSM_TOOLS_TOOLS_H
 #define CSM_TOOLS_TOOLS_H
 
+#include <memory>
 #include <map>
 
 #include <QObject>
@@ -73,7 +74,7 @@ namespace CSMTools
 
             void runSearch (const CSMWorld::UniversalId& searchId, const Search& search);
 
-            void runMerge (const boost::filesystem::path& target);
+            void runMerge (std::auto_ptr<CSMDoc::Document> target);
 
             void abortOperation (int type);
             ///< \attention The operation is not aborted immediately.
@@ -92,6 +93,10 @@ namespace CSMTools
             void progress (int current, int max, int type);
 
             void done (int type, bool failed);
+
+            /// \attention When this signal is emitted, *this hands over the ownership of the
+            /// document. This signal must be handled to avoid a leak.
+            void mergeDone (CSMDoc::Document *document);
     };
 }
 
diff --git a/apps/opencs/view/tools/merge.cpp b/apps/opencs/view/tools/merge.cpp
index f775390ee..566a5ee06 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/view/tools/merge.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/view/tools/merge.cpp
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 #include <QKeyEvent>
 
 #include "../../model/doc/document.hpp"
+#include "../../model/doc/documentmanager.hpp"
 
 #include "../doc/filewidget.hpp"
 #include "../doc/adjusterwidget.hpp"
@@ -25,8 +26,8 @@ void CSVTools::Merge::keyPressEvent (QKeyEvent *event)
         QWidget::keyPressEvent (event);
 }
 
-CSVTools::Merge::Merge (QWidget *parent)
-: QWidget (parent), mDocument (0)
+CSVTools::Merge::Merge (CSMDoc::DocumentManager& documentManager, QWidget *parent)
+: QWidget (parent), mDocument (0), mDocumentManager (documentManager)
 {
     setWindowTitle ("Merge Content Files into a new Game File");
 
@@ -124,7 +125,13 @@ void CSVTools::Merge::accept()
 {
     if ((mDocument->getState() & CSMDoc::State_Merging)==0)
     {
-        mDocument->runMerge (mAdjuster->getPath());
+        std::vector< boost::filesystem::path > files (1, mAdjuster->getPath());
+
+        std::auto_ptr<CSMDoc::Document> target (
+            mDocumentManager.makeDocument (files, files[0], true));
+
+        mDocument->runMerge (target);
+
         hide();
     }
 }
diff --git a/apps/opencs/view/tools/merge.hpp b/apps/opencs/view/tools/merge.hpp
index b8369ffa3..d4ed7e34b 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/view/tools/merge.hpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/view/tools/merge.hpp
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ class QListWidget;
 namespace CSMDoc
 {
     class Document;
+    class DocumentManager;
 }
 
 namespace CSVDoc
@@ -30,12 +31,13 @@ namespace CSVTools
             QListWidget *mFiles;
             CSVDoc::FileWidget *mNewFile;
             CSVDoc::AdjusterWidget *mAdjuster;
+            CSMDoc::DocumentManager& mDocumentManager;
 
             void keyPressEvent (QKeyEvent *event);
 
         public:
 
-            Merge (QWidget *parent = 0);
+            Merge (CSMDoc::DocumentManager& documentManager, QWidget *parent = 0);
 
             /// Configure dialogue for a new merge
             void configure (CSMDoc::Document *document);