House of Browning

After selling their first loading tool patent to marlin and ceasing production of their second model tool over patent infringement with Winchester, the Browning Brothers produced a third model to accompany their remaining rifle sales during 1883.

Features of the 3rd model tool are not fully described but it can be seen to have a bullet mold on its upper end with a cartridge chamber protruding from the right arm similar to Winchester and Ideal tools. The seating chamber of the Browning tool, however, is a separate piece. Once the bullet is seated the chamber is removed and the case pried out by a fork formed at the end of the tool’s handle.

Only three tools are know to exist. All three tools are marked for the 45-70 M [Marlin] cartridge. One is recorded in the June 1984 issue of The Gun Report article “Antique Reloading Tool, Part II”. Another is shown in R.L. Wilson’s book Winchester, An American Legend along with Browning single shot rifle No. 509, which it was paired with during its sale. The other know tool is recorded in the Nov/Dec 1993 issue of Man at Arms article “The Browning Bros. Loading Tools” as part of the collection of the article’s author Fred Selman.