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US patent No. 356271 is a good example of what John Browning described as “building fences” for the Winchester company. This design is clearly derived from the Spencer pump shotgun, but with a number of marketable improvements. While Winchester had no intention of producing the design, they happily purchased the patent to prevent the Spencer Arms Company from utilizing any of the improved features.
While this shotgun appears extremely similar to the Spencer, the operating cycle of the action is actually quite different. One of the most obvious departures from the Spencer design is the use of a striker rather than an internal hammer. The breech-block and its movement are greatly simplified, with the upper surface acting as both the lifter and ejector.
The movement of the breech-block in this design would heavily influence the later Winchester Model 1893/1897.
Inventor: John Browning, Matthew Browning
Patent Attorney: John Earle
Assigned: Winchester, Sept 1886