Only a handful of this rare long-barreled target model were ever produced. Theodore Bergman was a pioneer in developing semi-automatic pistols in Europe in the late 1890s right along side Mauser, Borchardt, Luger and Walther. This model was one of the first true commercially successful semi-automatic pistols. They have the distinctive flat top bolt and top cover with the thin, light weight firing pin with the smooth flat side frame. The Model 1896 can be identified by the two angled cuts on the right side of the frame. This model has the integral magazine that sits in front of the trigger that loads through the top with stripper clips. The barrel is fitted with a windage adjustable front sight with a sighting notch cut into the top rear edge of the bolt. The right side of the pistol has oval shaped logo that depicts a "mountain man" logo holding a pick behind his back with sunrays emenating from behind him. The top of the oval is marked "Gaggenau" and the lower area is marked " V.C.S. Suhl", indicating that these pistols were manufactured by the Schilling Company. The right side front frame area is stamped serial number "2704". The left side of the barrel is marked with the bore diameter of "278" followed by a Double Crown/U proof mark in front and one behind the number. The lower left front edge of the frame is stamped in three lines: "PATENT/BREVET/S.G.D.G.". The upper left side of the frame is also stamped with a small Double Crown/U proof. It is fitted with a set of walnut checkered grips.