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US patent No. 336287 was submitted June 1885, assigning rights to Winchester. The prototype model was the result of a culmination of events leading Thomas Bennett to commission John Browning for the creation of a lever action repeating shotgun in 1884. The resulting shotgun would be the only lever action specifically designed for shot shells ever manufactured, a testament to the engineering of John Browning and advertising of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company.
Browning would draw inspiration from previous designs in which the breech-block and lever are a single, integral, piece. Combing the features of the integral lever with the movement of a rolling block produced a smooth, compact action capable of feeding 12ga shot shells. The unique action resulted in a distinctive, oddly shaped, receiver.
The Winchester model 1887 would be instrumental in popularizing the repeating shotgun in the US market. Although arguably outdated at its inception, the design would dominate the market for several years. Throughout production Winchester would manufacture nearly three times as many 1887s as its primary competitor, the Spencer pump action shotgun. Despite its obsolescence the 1887 remained popular until being discontinued in 1920.
Inventor: John Browning, Matthew Browning
Patent Attorney: John Earle
Assigned: Winchester, June 1885