Kommerzienrat (like Sir) Theodor Bergmann was born in 1850 Sailauf to a middle class family, became chairman of Gaggenau Iron Works in 1889, a maker of airguns. Bergmann Gaggenau company began in 1894, automobiles were sold there, and contracted business to manufacturers. Factory Suhl opened before World War One, making machine guns, rifles, shotguns, handguns, ammunition, and mechanical items. There's even a coin slot machine with Theodor Bergmann's name. Suhl successor Lignose temporarily ceased production in 1943 when the original buildings were destroyed.

1896 Bergmann pistol logo, VCS is contractor Valentin Christoph Schilling in Suhl.

Reversed image of a Lignose shotshell printing stamp.

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