Posted on 01/21/2012 8:14:24 AM PST by JRandomFreeper
In 1855, John Browning was born. He was a gifted gunmaker that gave us many great weapons that survive to this day.
Happy Birthday!
I am aware of the confusion about whether his birthday was the 21st or the 23rd. So I intend to celebrate all weekend long.
/johnny
Incredible to think that two weapons, the 1911 and the “ma deuce”, both of which will soldier on well into this century, were designed by a man born 5 years before Lincoln’s election. A testament to Browning’s genius.
Bump to great inventions !
The 1911A1 is the best IMO.
Stay safe....
1855 to 1926. He had just finished is last pistol design before his death. FN later introduced it as the Browning Hi-Power. I have a circa 1967 Hi-Power and a Colt series 80 as well as a few other Browning inspired firearms.
He made his first firearm when he was 13. Today, if a 13 year old made a firearm, he'd be in jail.
Our current laws very much constrain freedom and innovation.
/johnny
There is a book, “John M. Browning, American Gunmaker” which I bought many years ago. I had no idea how many of our famous guns were designed by him until I read that book.
I would recommend it to anyone. Very readable and also well illustrated. Also a fair amount about his Father Jonathan Browning who learned gunsmithing including how to make your own tools while a young man in Kentucky. This was while he was apprenticed to another gunsmith.
Jonathan also had an inventive mind, creating a repeating flintlock which had a bar which moved laterally in the barrel, containing five chambers you could pre-load sort of like a magazine.
/johnny
Colt 1911 and the Browning Hi-Power. Two of the best designs ever.
Many of his other designs for smaller pocket pistols are also good, but that TRAVESTY the 1968 Gun Control Law keeps them out of the US.
Mormons control gun design.....ping.
I’m planning a trip out west this summer and plan on stopping at the John Browning Museum in Ogden while I’m out there.
Don’t neglect the Win 1894, some examples of same are too old to be considered firearms.
I vote this the scariest looking rifle ever built.
That and the '34 NFA need to be completely removed.
/johnny
Take the bipod off and lose the carry handle (the way the troops preferred it), and it’s actually kinda sexy.
Bonnie & Clyde’s weapon of choice (cut down version) BAR Rock!
Ditto the BAR, as well as the A5, and a host of Winchester Rifles. And for you 9 mill fans, the Browning Hi-Power. The closest anyone’s come are Ruger, Stoner and Kalashnikov. and except for Ruger, the body of work isn’t even close.
Been there many times when stationed at Hill AFB.... You will love it.
Stay Safe !
Browning should be celebrated as much as Edison for his technological accomplishments. Other than the incandescent electric light bulb, I can’t think of any other inventions that have endured pretty much unchanged for 100 years like Browning’s designs. However, in this gun hating era I don’t see much chance that school kids will learn about his genius.
Not too thrilled with Kalashnikov's politics, but he designed one of the most sucessful rifles in the world.
/johnny
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