Theodore Bergman was a pioneer in developing semi-automatic pistols in Europe in the late 1890s and early 1900s. Originally manufactured in 5mm, 6.5 mm and later 8mm cartridges, very few of these pistols were actually manufactured (approximately 2,500 total) with even fewer examples surviving WWII, with most good examples brought back by Gis after WWII. As manufactured by V. Charles Schilling of Suhl, this pistol features blade front and notch rear sights, German "crown/crown/U" proofs, the Schilling "mountain man" logo depicting a man holding a pick behind his back with sunrays emanating from behind him and "PATENT/BREVETE/S.G.D.G." on the left side of the frame ahead of the magazine well. This model has the integral magazine that sits in front of the trigger and loads with stripper clips through the top of the action. Traces of a fiery nitre blue are present on the safety, with straw colors on the other small parts. Fitted with a pair of checkered grips with "B" panels at the tops. Provenance: Gillespie collection.

Fine, with 40% of the original blue finish, showing areas of brown patina, bright edge wear, and scattered spotting and handling marks. The grips are very good, with a few light dings and good detail in the panels. Mechanically fine.