Browning Brothers 1878 and Winchester 1885 falling block rifle.
John Browning’s first patent application, along with a model, for a single shot rifle was submitted in 1879. The rifle was designed over the previous year while John and his younger brother Matt were running their father’s gunsmith and general repair shop.
In 1879 the brothers purchased their father’s business and by 1880 began building a small factory to produce the rifle, employing three other Browning brothers. Approximately 600 rifles were produced between 1880 and 1883. Surviving examples show a wide range of finish quality and chamberings, from plain hunting rifles to elaborate schuetzen-style, in calibers from .22 to .45.
There are several well known stories about how the Browning brothers came to the attention of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company and its Vice President Thomas Bennett, each with its merits and contradictions. We may never know the exact circumstances that brought Bennett to Ogden on December 10, 1883 but the contract purchasing John Browning’s first patent would fast track the careers of John and Matt and bring the world within reach of the Browning brothers. Winchester would produce the rifle as the Model 1885, chambered in 98 cartridges from .22 rimfire to 50-100 Express and 20ga.
Adjustments and improvements began at Winchester even before Bennett finalized the patent purchase. In mid 1883 William Mason was tasked with developing as similar a rifle as possible without infringing on the Browning patent. Although Mason’s efforts proved untenable to circumvent the patent, he set the groundwork for Winchester production with alterations to the firing pin, lever, and mainspring. Throughout manufacture minor modifications would be employed to produce three distinct models; the high-wall, low-wall, and musket, as well as a take-down option for each.
Patents:
- 220271 – John Browning
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