John Browning

Overview

John Moses Browning, born on January 23, 1855, and passing away on November 26, 1926, was a prolific American firearm designer whose innovations revolutionized both military and civilian firearms. His genius resulted in the development of numerous iconic weapons, cartridges, and firearm mechanisms that continue to influence firearm design and remain in widespread use across the globe even today. This timeline chronicles some of the most significant moments in his life and career.

Main Milestones

Birth in Ogden, Utah Territory

January 23, 1855

John Moses Browning was born in Ogden, Utah Territory, to Jonathan Browning, a Mormon gunsmith, and his wife Elizabeth Clark. Growing up in a gunsmithing family exposed him to the inner workings of firearms from a very young age, setting the stage for his future as a renowned inventor.

First Firearm Patent: The Single Shot Rifle

1878

At the age of 23, Browning received his first patent for a single-shot rifle design. This rifle, notable for its innovative falling-block action, caught the attention of Winchester Repeating Arms Company. This marked the beginning of a long and fruitful, though sometimes contentious, partnership.

Winchester Partnership Begins

1883

Winchester began manufacturing Browning's single-shot rifle as the Winchester Model 1885. This partnership soon expanded, with Browning designing several lever-action rifles for Winchester, including the legendary Winchester Model 1886, a powerful rifle chambered for large-caliber cartridges. This collaboration was pivotal for both Browning and Winchester, establishing them as leaders in the firearms industry.

Development of Automatic Firearms

1890s

Browning began experimenting with automatic firearm designs, a field that would define his later career. He invented the first gas-operated machine gun, which would eventually become the Colt-Browning Model 1895, often referred to as the 'Potato Digger' due to its unique operating mechanism. This marked a significant shift in firearm technology, moving from manual operation to automatic fire.

Browning Auto-5 Shotgun

1897

Browning designed the Auto-5, the first successful semi-automatic shotgun. He offered it to Winchester, but they hesitated to accept his terms of payment. He then went to Remington, but the president of Remington died suddenly before the deal could be finalized. Browning then took the Auto-5 to Fabrique Nationale (FN) of Belgium, where it was a commercial success, and would be manufactured for almost 100 years. The Auto-5 changed the face of shotgun design and remains a classic.

Collaboration with Colt

Early 1900s

Browning began working closely with Colt's Manufacturing Company, designing a series of automatic pistols. This partnership resulted in the development of iconic firearms such as the M1911 pistol, a .45 ACP caliber handgun that became the standard sidearm for the U.S. military for over 70 years.

Browning Machine Guns in World War I

1917-1918

During World War I, Browning's machine guns, including the Browning M1917 water-cooled machine gun and the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), played a crucial role for the Allied forces. The BAR, in particular, provided infantry squads with unprecedented firepower. His designs proved their reliability and effectiveness under the harsh conditions of the war, solidifying his reputation as a firearms genius.

Death in Herstal, Belgium

1926

While working on a new pistol design for Fabrique Nationale (FN) in Herstal, Belgium, John Moses Browning died of heart failure on November 26, 1926. Even in his final days, he was actively engaged in innovating and improving firearm technology. He left behind a legacy of groundbreaking designs that continue to influence firearm development today.

Other Themed Timelines

Association with Fabrique Nationale (FN) (1902-1926)

Cartridge Innovations

Collaboration with Winchester (1880-1902)

Commercial Impact and Legacy

Early Life and Apprenticeship (1855-1879)

Military Firearm Designs (1900-1926)

Personal Life and Family

Themed Timelines

Talks

Media Collections

Overview

Other Themed Timelines