Browning Brothers Model 1878 Rifle

[Shrapnel]

I’ve been set up here at the Cody Gun Show for a couple days and happened to notice a lot of cool guns here. There’s one that’s just the most incredible, one of the rarest guns you could ever find. It is a Browning Brothers high wall that the Browning Brothers made in Utah before they sold the patent rights to Winchester to make the model 1885 Winchester.

It is a heavy barrel, with double set triggers, and with a cleaning rod under the barrel. Chambered in 40-70 Sharps Straight, I have already ordered brass and dies to get this gun shooting very soon…

[Lastmohecken]

That's a cool old gun. Where did you find brass for it? Of will you have to fire form brass from another caliber?

[Shrapnel]

That's a cool old gun. Where did you find brass for it? Of will you have to fire form brass from another caliber?

I’ve got some coming from a friend and dies too!

Another guy told me Buffalo Arms has .403 bullets!

[marlinman93]

That's a cool old gun. Where did you find brass for it? Of will you have to fire form brass from another caliber?

I’ve got some coming from a friend and dies too!

Another guy told me Buffalo Arms has .403 bullets!

I assume you slugged the bore? .403" bullets would be much too small for most .40-70SS barrels. Mine all slug around .410" groove diameter.

[piller]

Cool old rifle.

[Shrapnel]

That's a cool old gun. Where did you find brass for it? Of will you have to fire form brass from another caliber?

I’ve got some coming from a friend and dies too!

Another guy told me Buffalo Arms has .403 bullets!

I assume you slugged the bore? .403" bullets would be much too small for most .40-70SS barrels. Mine all slug around .410" groove diameter.

How many of those were Brownings?

[Bill in Oregon]

That's just an incredible find, sir! Thanks for sharing it.

[marlinman93]

That's a cool old gun. Where did you find brass for it? Of will you have to fire form brass from another caliber?

I’ve got some coming from a friend and dies too!

Another guy told me Buffalo Arms has .403 bullets!

I assume you slugged the bore? .403" bullets would be much too small for most .40-70SS barrels. Mine all slug around .410" groove diameter.

How many of those were Brownings?

Why would Browning make their bores tighter than everyone else?

[4t5]

Paper patched bullets ?

[marlinman93]

Paper patched bullets ?

I don't know of any rifle maker who originally chambered a rifle in .40-70SS that wasn't chambered for paper patch bullets. By the time greasers became common the .40-70SS was dropped from most maker's lineups.

[yooper2]

Wow, very cool piece of history!

Eric

[Shrapnel]

Paper patched bullets ?

I don't know of any rifle maker who originally chambered a rifle in .40-70SS that wasn't chambered for paper patch bullets. By the time greasers became common the .40-70SS was dropped from most maker's lineups.

Key Cartridge Dimensions:Case Type: Straight-walled, rimmedCase Length: 2.500" (also known as the 40-2 1/2" straight)Rim Diameter: Approximately 0.537"Rim Thickness: Typically 0.064" to 0.068"Base Diameter: Approximately 0.420" to 0.425"Bullet Diameter: Nominally 0.403", but modern barrels and cast bullets typically utilize 0.408" to 0.410"

[geobru]

Congratulations on a great find and a unique piece of history! I hope you post the results when you get it up and running!!

[samsi]

Very cool. I once spent a range day with a couple BPCR guys and one had a 40-70SS, it's a little rocket compared to the 45-70.

[Oldncrusty]

I've been very lucky in finding some gems, but that would be the cream of the crop for sure. Congrats!

[Shasta]

Super rare and great find on that one. I am jealous! I expect to see a picture of a very dead gopher when you get it shooting.

Shasta

[.45colt]

Yep, the Gophers in His neck of the woods need helmets and kevlar vests...........