House of Browning

In 1882, after selling the patent for their 1881 loading tool to Marlin, the Browning Brothers began manufacture of another all-in-one loading tool to accompany sales of their single-shot rifle. Little is known about the tool’s short production span and very few examples are know to remain. Markings on the body of the tool are limited to the caliber, generally stamped on the upper surface of the right-hand arm. The typical maker’s mark “Browning Bros, Ogden, U.T.” is stamped on the sprue pate, but remaining tools are often worn and appear unmarked. The number of tools produced is unknown but likely did not exceed 200. Production of the tool stopped in 1883.

The second model loading tool has been found in thee variations. A large size for rifle calibers and scaled-down versions for pistol calibers.

This tool was not patented and is likely the tool referred to in the infamous 1883 Winchester-Browning infringement contract. The Browning tool uses a single claw to extract the cartridge in an identical manner to the double claw found in the King patent. Winchester was known to be harsh and persistent in protecting their patent rights. The extremely lenient terms in the agreement has caused a lot of conjecture about how strong their patent protection may have been and possible ulterior motives in their dealings with Browning.

The contract can be found in the McCracken Research Library as well as the Special Collections of Weber State University and reads as follows:

AGREEMENT between the WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS COMPANY of New Haven, Connecticut, and the firm of BROWNING BROS. of Ogden, UT. – The Winchester Repeating Arms Company are the owners of Letters Patent issued to V. A. King, dated September 14th 1880, No. 232189 for cartridge implement. – BROWNING BROS. admitting the validity of said patent, have on hand about one hundred twenty five (125) sets of castings, which infringe the patent, but which they are desirous of making up and selling, and agree not to make any more. In consideration of the promises and of one dollar to us in hand paid, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Winchester Repeating Arms Company consent to the making up and selling the one hundred twenty five sets, which Browning Bros. now have on hand. -Witness for Winchester – Repeating Arms Company. – L. H. Daniels T. G. Bennett, V.P. – Witness our signature in duplicate, this 1st day of June, 1883. – Witness for Browning Bros. Browning Bros. – Moses C. Clark