Manufactured c. 1878 to 1883, this is a scarce example of the first firearm design by the legendary John Moses Browning. Browning was born in Ogden, Utah, in 1855. By the second year of the Civil War, he was working his father's shop repairing firearms. By 1878, Browning had developed his first firearm design and began producing them in a small shop along with his younger brother Matthew. By 1880, only a little over 6,000 residents lived in Ogden, and Utah was still a relatively lightly settled western territory. By 1883, when the patent was sold to Winchester, the brothers had manufactured less than 600 rifles by most estimates, with one hundred or less of these frontier built and frontier used rifles believed to still exist. The design was covered by his first of many firearms patents. The refined version was manufactured as the famous Winchester Model 1885 and launched Browning's fruitful partnership with Winchester that included the design of the Model 1886, Model 1892, Model 1894, Model 1895 lever action rifles and carbines. He also went on to design semi-automatic pistols for Colt including the ever popular Model 1911, machine guns, and the first semi-automatic shotgun. Several of his designs resulted in what are considered to be among the most innovative and significant firearms of the late 19th century and early 20th century. The top barrel flat in front of the rear sight is marked "BROWNING BROS.OGDEN, UTAH, U.S.A." The patent date is marked behind the rear sight along with "40 70" and the serial number "530". There are no other visible markings. The underside of the barrel is fitted with two ramrod pipes and a cleaning rod. The top barrel flat is fitted with a German silver blade front sight, an elevation adjustable notch rear sight, and double set triggers. The hammer cocks automatically when the breech is opened and closed. It is mounted with a smooth forearm with a very slight Schnabel tip and a straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate.

Very good, the barrel retaining 30% of the original blue finish with the balance of the metal showing mostly a grey patina with some scattered light spotting/freckling and a few scattered patches of light pitting. The re-varnished wood is also very good with a few hairline cracks, a few light edge chips, and some scattered minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. A rare opportunity to add an example of the start of John Moses Browning's long and legendary career in firearms design to your collection!