For many generations the family name Schilling has been associated with Zella-Mehlis, a traditional rich gun making center in Germany. The first official record of a Hammermeister (master of a sledge hammer) in Mehlis, Caspar Schilling, dates back to 1648.
Alfred Schilling, the son of the metal worker and innkeeper Veit Schilling, founded the company in 1898. Even back then he was able to produce complex machine parts for various other firms. With the acquisition and employment of the first automatic gear head engine lathe (Loewe, Berlin) in Zella-Mehlis in 1905, he could specialize in making revolver cylinders and other small parts for pistols. With the excavation of a mill pond and the erection of a water wheel for power generation in 1912, the small family business became one of the technically most modern businesses of this region. The revolver cylinders were delivered to different hand gun manufacturers such as Anschuetz and Weihrauch as well as to other manufacturers and artisans in the local rifle making trade.
With the end of World War II and the banning of firearm manufacturing of any kind in Germany, the firm of Alfred Schilling and other businesses were challenged to find new products and new markets. As a result of the takeover of the firm in 1945 by Alfred’s son Veit (same name like grandfather Veit), new business ideas were established. They ranged from resuming the series production of cigarette lighters made of billets from the Junkerswerke in Dessau to manufacturing complete small oil mills for rape and poppy seeds. This versatility assured the firm’s survival. By 1950 the firm was able to provide high precision machined parts for the ZEISS optical factory in Jena, which needed industrial partners due to a lack of suitable machinery and production capacity.
The political changes and restrictions by the former government in East Germany led to the nationalization of the business in 1972. With the retirement of the former owner, Veit Schilling, the works were continuously neglected. However, with the re-unification of Germany and the re-privatisation of industry in 1990 it was possible to consider a new beginning in 1994 despite the deteriorated property and aging machinery.
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Alfred Schilling
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Veit Schilling
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Jörg Schilling
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In 1998 (exactly hundred years after the establishment of the firm!) the firm Alfred Schilling was re-founded by his grandson Joerg. After finishing his studies in precision mechanics at the University of Jena and some years of occupation as an engineer for the Suhler Jagd- und Sportwaffen GmbH, the makers of Merkel firearms, he was able to take up his original goal, the continuation of the family business in the fourth generation.
In the beginning the firm produced and repaired diopter sights (tang sights) and sight parts for the older target rifles and pistols. In addition, accessories for the traditional target shooting such as ammunition boxes in various configurations and canvas cases for the old rifles were also offered.
Since 2000 the firm Alfred Schilling offers its own target/hunting rifle with an action reproduction originally made in Mehlis by Buechel and with a tapered octagonal barrel. It is available in the common hunting calibres, including those for shooting in built-up areas where a small calibre light report or more powerful calibres for big game are desired. There is also a lighter model for small calibres plinking or target shooting. Various styles of engraving and ornamentation are available, including gold and silver inlays of precious metal and stock carving. The action and parts are also available with the traditional colour case hardening which is done in-house. The full spectrum of options to suit the individual is available (for more information see: www.alfred-schilling.de ).
To separate the making of special surface treatments such as colour case hardening and Suhler Blueing from the manufacturing of guns and to offer them to others firms, the Schilling Spezialbeschichtungen GmbH was founded in May 2000.
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