August Browning & William Heber are listed in 1873 to 1876 San Francisco directories as gun and lock makers at 653 Washington. Browning was born in Germany and was a locksmith by trade. He took on Otto A. Bremer (a talented marksman and smith) as a partner in 1881 until 1900. He was known for his high end target, schuetzen, and sporting rifles. Heber was also born in Germany and worked for multiple San Francisco gunsmiths before his partnership with Browning. He continued to work as a gunsmith and dealer in various partnerships and alone until 1905. This rifle is pictured on page 115 of "California Gunsmiths, 1846-1900" by Lawrence P. Shelton. It has an adjustable globe front sight, fixed notch rear sight, and an adjustable tang mounted peep sight. The upper right barrel flat is marked "BROWNING & HEBER SAN FRANCISCO CAL." The lock is unmarked. The stock has a pewter forend cap "typical of Heber's design," German silver furniture, and a cheek rest that is "very typical of Herber's work." The trigger guard has a grip extension and encloses double set triggers. A ramrod and sight adjustment tool are included. A tap for an absent palm rest is located on the trigger guard.

Good with replacement front sight and peep sight. The rifle has been cleaned but retains the majority of the blue finish. There are some patches of very light pitting. The German silver components have an aged patina. The stock is also good and has some darker stains, a few minor hairline cracks, a small repair on the right side of the butt, crisp checkering, and smooth surfaces. The lock and set triggers function fine.