Biography of John Moses Browning?

[The Rabbi]

Is anyone familiar with a biography of Browning, inventor of the Browning Hi-Power, Browning Machine Gun, A-5 shotgun and one or two other minor advances?
I saw a history of the Thompson sub and they mentioned there that apparently Browning wasnt the nicest guy in the universe or the easiest to deal with. But I wondered if there was a bio of him somewhere.

 

[Mongo the Mutterer]

Geez Rabbi, Don't forget the 1911...

 

[Preacherman]

Here and here on Amazon.

 

[Trebor]

I just finished "American Gunmaker," Browning's biography. He comes across as an OK guy, but kinda reserved. Granted, it's the "official" bio, but still, nothing to suggest he was a prima donna.

 

[444]

I bought a copy of "American Gunmaker" at the Browning museum in Utah. I also got a video tape sort of biography. As was mentioned, who knows if it is the real story or not. I seem to remember them actually making a point that in Belgium he was a very highly respected and loved man. They also mentioned the very low prices he charged the US government for his stuff. According to legend, he brother was the business brains of the operation and he got very upset with John several times for the deals he made. I remember in particular, they mentioned what he charged for the BAR. His brother couldn't belive it and John said something to the effect, I am just happy I am not over in France using one or something similar to that.
From what I know of his life, I would be very surprised if he was a jerk.

 

[rdbrowning]

With a name like that, how could he be hard to get along with?

 

[Preacherman]

I see the Museum's book price is cheaper than the (used) book price on Amazon - worth knowing. See here for details.

 

[Old Fuff]

We know a lot more about Browning, the inventor - then Browning, the man. But I've always found it interesting that when the Army was holding trials prior to adopting the 1911 .45 pistol, J.M.B. would attend in person, demonstrate and fire the prototype, and if something went wrong or broke he would personally disassemble the gun and find out what was going on. Sometimes he even made on-the-spot changes or improvements. Other contenders brought a mechanic or armorer to get his hands dirty, rather then have a senior executive, inventor or engineer get into it themselves.

Maybe this is part of the reason the 1911 pistol is so important to so many in our handgun community, rather then a Savage or Luger .45

In spite of all of the honors he received, John Moses Browning remained a mechanic - who invented guns.

 

[Dave R]

In spite of all of the honors he received, John Moses Browning remained a mechanic - who invented guns.

Great sound bite!

 

[sfhogman]

I got my copy of American Gunmaker for about $20 from Alibris.com.
My own take is that he was a genius. If you get the book, check out the patent drawings of his first patented gun, the Single Shot. And think about how old he was when he invented it!
The man transcended his time and place; there are few that can do that.

My 2c,
Jeff

 

[444]

I got a big kick out of the story about when he was on his mission for the LDS church back east somewhere. He was walking down the street and saw a gun shop, so he went in to look around (a short break from the Lord's work ). The gun shop owner started showing him the latest thing out in shotguns. John told the guy, I designed this gun and the gun shop owner took the shotgun away from him, put it back in the rack and ignored him until he left.

 

[M109A6 Paladin]

We have the Browning Museum here at Rock Island, IL.

It's supposed to be the largest single collection of weapons in one place, or something like that. Lots of interesting pieces.

 

[444]

Right, that museum was named after Browning.
The museum in Utah is just for Browning and his stuff.
There is also the Cody Museum in Wyoming that has all the Winchester stuff that Browning designed.

 

[El Tejon]

444, is that the video with that Fess Parker dude? Bought that at an NRA meeting maybe 15 years ago. Decent video.

 

[brian roberts]

Browning.....

there was also an earlier book by Curt Gentry, forgot the title. gentry also wrote another VERY interesting book titled: One Hundred Tons of Gold.