https://patentimages.storage.googleapis ... 984519.pdf
Site seems to be experiencing intermittent load issues. If site doesn't present the login screen, try clicking on 'login'
Happy JMB day
Happy JMB day
Also known as Valentines Day. On Feb.14th, 1911, John Moses Browning's patent for his iconic pistol was granted. So here's a little gift from me to y'all, to semi-automatically brighten your day.
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis ... 984519.pdf
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis ... 984519.pdf
Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes is rapidly becoming a reality (11/2023). Para Bellum.
- CT_Shooter
- Administrator emeritus
- Posts: 5759
- Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2016 8:42 am
- Location: Connecticut

Re: Happy JMB day
Very cool and interesting both to see and read. Thanks.
John Moses Browning wrote: The main object of the present invention is to produce a firearm of this class which, in order to be specially adapted for the military Service, shall be not only practical, efficient and perfectly safe in use, but strong and capable of withstanding the exposure and rough usage of service in the field, and adapted to fire cartridges having bullets of large caliber and weight and powerful charges of powder; it shall also be very simple in construction so as to be reliable under all conditions of service and not liable to get out of order, inexpensive of manufacture, with a minimum number of
readily dismounted and cleaned without re quiring the use of any tools.
H006M BBB .357 - H001 Classic .22LR - Uberti/Taylors & Co. SmokeWagon .357 5.5" - Uberti/Taylors & Co. RanchHand .22LR 5.5" - Colt King Cobra Carry 2" - Colt Official Police 38spl 4"
Re: Happy JMB day
Yes, and every bit of it without benefit of a computer of any kind. Just the mind of a genius and common drafting & machine tools of the time.CT_Shooter wrote: ↑Fri Feb 14, 2025 2:54 pmVery cool and interesting both to see and read. Thanks.John Moses Browning wrote: The main object of the present invention is to produce a firearm of this class which, in order to be specially adapted for the military Service, shall be not only practical, efficient and perfectly safe in use, but strong and capable of withstanding the exposure and rough usage of service in the field, and adapted to fire cartridges having bullets of large caliber and weight and powerful charges of powder; it shall also be very simple in construction so as to be reliable under all conditions of service and not liable to get out of order, inexpensive of manufacture, with a minimum number of
readily dismounted and cleaned without re quiring the use of any tools.

Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes is rapidly becoming a reality (11/2023). Para Bellum.
Re: Happy JMB day
I have a set like that, that I got from my grand dad.
UPDATES: OR passes 114, "one of strictest gun control measures in U.S." https://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic. ... 34#p213234
- BrokenolMarine
- Ranch Foreman
- Posts: 7471
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 8:28 am
- Location: South Central Oklahoma in the mountains

Re: Happy JMB day
I have a set like that, but in a plastic fitted case. I got it while stationed in Hawaii and designing things for the Squadron's use. Still have it to this day and use it frequently.
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
I don't look back at the things I can no longer do, I just look forward to the things I still can.
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.
I don't look back at the things I can no longer do, I just look forward to the things I still can.
Re: Happy JMB day
Never saw that one before. Very cool!
Having worked in the pharma industry for years, much in development, I've read the packages submitted for getting a patent on a new drug. It's an art to write something specific enough to get a patent, yet "loose" enough to allow for future process improvements, and broad enough to preclude any other manufacturer to produce a similar product. The people that do those writeups are different people for sure. The last half dozen pages show not only the detail of the pistol's operation, but the thought process that led to those specific details.
JMB truly was an engineering genius.
Having worked in the pharma industry for years, much in development, I've read the packages submitted for getting a patent on a new drug. It's an art to write something specific enough to get a patent, yet "loose" enough to allow for future process improvements, and broad enough to preclude any other manufacturer to produce a similar product. The people that do those writeups are different people for sure. The last half dozen pages show not only the detail of the pistol's operation, but the thought process that led to those specific details.
JMB truly was an engineering genius.
Re: Happy JMB day
I thought it was cool enough to print out all 12 pages, staple them together, tri-fold them neatly, and put it in the box with my never fired 100th Anniversary Colt.rickhem wrote: ↑Sat Feb 15, 2025 9:53 amNever saw that one before. Very cool!
Having worked in the pharma industry for years, much in development, I've read the packages submitted for getting a patent on a new drug. It's an art to write something specific enough to get a patent, yet "loose" enough to allow for future process improvements, and broad enough to preclude any other manufacturer to produce a similar product. The people that do those writeups are different people for sure. The last half dozen pages show not only the detail of the pistol's operation, but the thought process that led to those specific details.
JMB truly was an engineering genius.

Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes is rapidly becoming a reality (11/2023). Para Bellum.
Re: Happy JMB day
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Gorgeous!
Gorgeous!
Re: Happy JMB day
Here's a documentary about JMB. Fess Parker narrates. YouTube, about an hour long if y'all would rather watch this than some soap opera.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oYJW8WbupQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oYJW8WbupQ
Last edited by GunnyGene on Sat Feb 15, 2025 11:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes is rapidly becoming a reality (11/2023). Para Bellum.
Re: Happy JMB day
I would really really really like to shoot this gun, but it's going to my daughter someday. And I have a couple other inexpensive 1911's I play with.
Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes is rapidly becoming a reality (11/2023). Para Bellum.
- North Country Gal
- Firearms Advisor
- Posts: 6823
- Joined: Thu Apr 07, 2016 12:46 pm
- Location: northern Wisconsin

Re: Happy JMB day
When looking at our gun collection, I am always amazed at how many of those guns are one go his designs.
Re: Happy JMB day
Don't know if you noticed or not in the patent text, but the pistol was originally designed to prevent firing if the magazine was removed. That was obviously changed in an early modification, probably something the Army didn't want or need.CT_Shooter wrote: ↑Fri Feb 14, 2025 2:54 pmVery cool and interesting both to see and read. Thanks.John Moses Browning wrote: The main object of the present invention is to produce a firearm of this class which, in order to be specially adapted for the military Service, shall be not only practical, efficient and perfectly safe in use, but strong and capable of withstanding the exposure and rough usage of service in the field, and adapted to fire cartridges having bullets of large caliber and weight and powerful charges of powder; it shall also be very simple in construction so as to be reliable under all conditions of service and not liable to get out of order, inexpensive of manufacture, with a minimum number of
readily dismounted and cleaned without re quiring the use of any tools.
Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes is rapidly becoming a reality (11/2023). Para Bellum.
Re: Happy JMB day
I'm sure several prototypes were built and tried before committing to the patent drawings.North Country Gal wrote: ↑Sat Feb 15, 2025 11:27 am... I am always amazed at how many of those guns are one go his designs.
UPDATES: OR passes 114, "one of strictest gun control measures in U.S." https://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic. ... 34#p213234