House of Browning

Thomas Gray Bennett

1845-1930

Thomas Bennett was the son of Thomas and Mary Bennett, of New Haven, CT. After graduating from a private military school Bennett was commissioned as lieutenant in the Connecticut infantry. He would muster out of the Union Army in 1865. In 1870 Bennett graduated from Yale’s Sheffield Scientific School.

By August of 1870 Bennett was engaged by Winchester as a surveyor for the future armory. Showing high aptitude Bennett was retained to work in the Gun Room, and then the Model Room.

In 1878 Bennett married Hanna Jane Winchester and was soon promoted to Secretary. While secretary of Winchester he was assigned to manage sales in Europe and spent much of his time in Romania and Turkey.

Bennett rose to Vice President in 1882, after the death of Oliver Winchester, and his son, in 1880. Even while Vice President Bennett was effectively running the company. In this position he orchestrated an informal agreement to keep Winchester out of the pistol market and Colt out of the rifle market that would last for decades. In an effort to bring innovation to the product line Bennett hired William Mason. Mason would prove to be the foundation of the company’s future manufacturing success. Bennett then began a relationship with the Browning Brothers, a move which allowed Bennett to build Winchester into an empire.

Bennett served as President of Winchester Repeating Arms Company from 1890 until 1911. After resigning the position he was made Consulting Director and continued to serve Winchester under various titles until 1926.

Over his career Bennett received several patents in is own name. A patent would also cause a dispute with the Browning Brothers. Bennett’s reluctance to produce Browning’s second auto-loading shotgun would be the last straw in the straining relations, and lead to Browning’s break from Winchester. The circumstances of that break are largely considered Bennett’s biggest mistake as head of Winchester.

Bennett was a loyal alumni of Yale. He was a member of the Corporation of Yale University, a trustee of the Sheffield Scientific School, and board member of Yale Observatory.

Suiting to his position Bennett was an active socialite. He was a member of the Army & Navy club, Admiral Foote Post 17, Connecticut Academy of Art and Sciences, New Haven Lawn and Country Club, New York Yacht Club, and Sachem’s Head Yacht Club.

Thomas Bennett died the 19th of August 1930 from complications due to a cerebral hemorrhage sustained while on his yacht.

US Patents: