Pelican Parts Forums - John Browning

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He started at 13 (don't know what the design was - maybe a copy of his father's designs?), and he died at his workshop bench while designing a gun, 71 years old.

In between he revolutionized firearms design.

ok, I'll let Jeff take over from there...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas (Post 10751953)

Someone had to.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1581639768.jpg

The Browning museum at the Ogden UT train depot is worth a visit. I think it was free, or nearly so. The (matured) cranks volunteering there are more than happy to talk your ear off on any related subject...

Rumor has it that it all started with the 1874 Sharps falling block, side hammer single shot. Young Mr. Browning was inspecting one in his father's gunsmithing shop and said something like "what a POS. I could do better than that". So, his father said "show me".

Thus was born the Browning 1878, also a falling block single shot, but with a central hammer, and of much trimmer design. This rifle caught the eye of the folks at Winchester, who sent a representative out to meet Mr. Browning. Winchester wound up buying the design and hiring Mr. Browning. With a little bit of redesign, the rifle began to be sold as the Winchester Model 1885, also known as the "High Wall" some years later, when a somewhat trimmer version was introduced, but kept the same "1885" model designation.

Here is my original, first year production example. It's chambered in a Sharps cartridge, the .40-70 Sharps Straight. It's wonderfully accurate with a 400 grain bullet from a Buffalo Arms mold, seated over 70 grains of Swiss 1.5 Fg black powder. Shown with a .30-'06 round for comparison:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1581643705.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1581643705.jpg

I’ve got a few browning designs. Here is my 1885 target rifle.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1581647975.jpg

According to a Winchester historian, mine was the first rim fire made in this model. It’s a 22 short caliber.

Ogden Utah feels a bit like Australia. :D

Ashamed all those pics are upside down :(

I’m going to put this place on my list of places I need to see.

Wow looks like a neat place to visit, i'll take my anti-gravity shoes though !