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Browning Arms Company

From Alfawiki
Browning Arms Company
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryFirearms, fishing gear, sporting goods
PredecessorJohn Moses and Matthew Sandefur Browning Company
Founded1878; 148 years ago (1878) in Ogden, Utah, United States
FounderJohn Moses Browning, Matthew Sandefur Browning
Headquarters
Ogden
,
United States
Area served
United States
ProductsFirearms (shotguns, rifles, pistols), fishing rods and reels, gun safes, sport bows, knives, bicycles, footwear
OwnerFN Herstal
ParentFN Herstal
Websitewww.browning.com

Browning Arms Company—originally established as the John Moses and Matthew Sandefur Browning Company—is a U.S.-based distributor specializing in firearms and fishing gear. Founded in 1878 in Ogden, Utah by siblings John Moses Browning (1855–1926) and Matthew Sandefur Browning (1859–1923), the firm offers an extensive assortment of firearms, including shotguns, rifles, and pistols. Additionally, its product portfolio features fishing rods and reels, gun safes, sport bows, knifes, and bicycles.

The company’s origins lie in marketing the sporting firearm designs created by John Browning, who is recognized as one of the most significant inventors in firearms history. The vast majority of his groundbreaking creations have been produced under licensing agreements by manufacturers such as Winchester, Colt, Remington, FN Herstal, and Miroku. Today, Browning operates as a fully owned subsidiary of FN Herstal.

Browning Arms Company is distinguished for producing bolt-action rifles like the A-Bolt and X-Bolt, the semi-automatic BAR rifle, the BPR pump-action rifle, the BPS pump shotgun, the semi-automatic Auto-5 shotgun, and the Hi-Power pistol. Their lineup also includes trap shotguns such as the 725 Pro Trap, Citori CX series, and Cynergy series.

Archives

The company’s historical factory artifacts are preserved at the Browning Firearms Museum situated within Union Station in Ogden, Utah.

Pistols

Rifles

Shotguns

Machine guns

Footwear

Beginning with hunting boots introduced in 1968, Browning expanded its footwear offerings through collaborations until 2001. At that point, production rights were licensed to H.H. Brown Shoe Company of Connecticut, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. The footwear selection includes the John M. Browning line, Field and Game series, waterfowl boots, kangaroo leather boots, rubber boots, waders, and upland game boots.

Knives

Browning introduced its cutlery range in 1968, initially offering three fixed-blade hunting knives along with a folding knife crafted by custom knifemaker Gil Hibben. The lineup grew through partnerships with distinguished knifemakers such as Jerry Fisk, Bailey Bradshaw, John Fitch, Joseph Keeslar, and James Crowell, all members of the American Bladesmith Society. In 2004, Browning launched the "Living History Knives" collection to pay tribute to American generals and historic battles. This series includes notable pieces like Larry Harley’s Liberty Tree Knife, Jerry Fisk’s Robert E. Lee and Alamo Knives, Jim Crowell’s Ike Knife, and Brent Evans’ Crazy Horse Knife. More recently, Browning collaborated with renowned big-game hunter Russ Kommer to design new knives.

In popular culture

Browning pistols gained recognition through their appearance in the Nazi propaganda play Schlageter, which popularized the phrase "Whenever I hear of culture... I unlock my Browning!" The company also sponsors the hunting television program Goin' Country, hosted by Kristy Lee Cook on the Versus channel (currently NBC Sports Network). This sponsorship originated after Cook was seen wearing a Browning hat during her time on American Idol. Furthermore, Browning shotguns are referenced in songs by the Turnpike Troubadours, including "The Housefire" and "The Bird Hunters," with the latter highlighting their Belgian manufacturing origin.

See also

External links

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