BROWNING MODEL 1878 STANDARD Description
cartridge, various cals., J.M. Browning's first patent, falling block action, fewer than 600 made (highest known ser. no. is 542) by Browning Brothers in Ogden, Utah between 1878-1883, octagon barrel marked "Browning Bros. Ogden, Utah USA", plain wood stock and forearm with and without pistol grips, crescent steel buttplate, with or without ramrod, several receiver configurations, a very few were made in the deluxe model, seldom found in better than average used condition, with or w/o serial number. Approx. only 100 have survived - Browning Arms Co. and the Winchester Museum have no factory records on this model.
$50,000 - $40,000 (Above Average) $35,000 - $30,000 (Average) $25,000 - $20,000 (Below Average)
Please refer to the grading explanation for Winchester lever actions regarding descriptions for the above condition factors.
Calibers in this model are listed from rarest to most commonly encountered: .50-70 Govt., .45 Sharps, .44 Rem., .40-90 Sharps, .44-77 Sharps, .45-70 Govt., and .40-70 Sharps Straight.
This model is rare since approx. only 550 were mfg. (approx. ser. range 1-550). This patent was sold to Winchester, which became their Model 1885 single shot. To date, less than 100 original Model 1878s have been encountered indicating a high mortality rate (most remaining specimens are in poor original condition). An inherent weakness of the original design was the way the stock attached to the action - Winchester later corrected this design flaw. A few remaining examples are not serial numbered. Barter guns are rifles which have Browning stamped actions but with another gunsmith's barrel.