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.