House of Browning

Designed by John Browning in 1886, the rifle of US patent No. 359917 has the same outward appearance and operation as the Winchester 1885. Internally, however, the action has been greatly simplified. Regardless of its merits, Winchester would shelve the design to prevent competition to their Model 1885, with which they had already invested several years of development, tooling, and materials.

This design differs from Browning’s first rifle patent by eliminating the sear and the link connecting the lever and breech-block. Instead, the upper end of the trigger directly engages the hammer. The movement of the breech-block is modified so that in addition to its vertical travel it may also rotate slightly when in its lower position. This movement compliments changes to the interactions of the lever, breech-block, and extractor.

Inventor: John Browning, Matthew Browning

Patent Attorney: John Earle

Assigned: Winchester, September 1886