First post Feb. 3rd, answer post March, 9th Damn, If I only had another couple of minutes I know I could have figured it out.
In 1897 John M. Browning was using a Winchester. So, the Four B's are identified. Gustav Leslie Becker John Moses Browning Archibald Pierce Bigelow Matthew Sandefur Browning These shooters were actually members of the famous Five B's squad. Who was the 5th squad member? HB
John M. Browning invented the Winchester slide action. Originally, the 1893 then became the 1897 which morphed into the Model 12. But then, you all knew that, right?
I grew up in Utah. As I loved guns from youth, John M. and his legacy company were my heroes. John died in Liege Belgium at his lab in the FN factory working to perfect the design for the single trigger for his Superposed (the first over/under) which trigger design was perfected by, I believe, his son (Val?) after he died. He came out with the O/U first and Remington copied the idea and engineered the M-32 (Which was actually released in 1931 I believe.) (Another fun fact, JMB is attributed to have invented the O/U in the late 1920s but in fact, he had first "invented" the O/U concept and built some around 1880 but he didn't pursue it because he was so darn busy inventing and facilitating the manufacture and distribution of his inventions. (Often, for wars and such.) In his old age he returned lovingly and a bit urgently to the O/U project because that was what HE wanted to shoot.) Heck. He invented or co-invented damn near everything we all shoot, in about any configuration. If there was ever a greater firearms genius than John M. Browning, I'd be interested to know who that might me.
Jakearoo, I think you selected a mighty fine hero. Truly appreciate your comments on Mr. Browning. I read somewhere that John M. Browning was granted 128 firearm related patents. John & Matthew offered the Browning Bros. Challenge Cup in 1901. It was emblematic of the trapshooting championship of Utah. Sure would like to see that 2 ft. high silver and gold trophy. John and Matt sometimes shot with brothers George, Sam & Ed. Browning Bros. also put up the Intermountain League trophy for Utah's base ball teams in 1901. I was wondering why some notable shooters from that period have been overlooked by the Utah Trapshooting Hall of Fame. Hope the selection committee doesn't consider their lower scores. Back then the flights and angles rules were different. Usually wider and longer. Scores of 90 or better were considered great shooting. Sure would like to see a little Utah trap history on the State Association webpage. Here's how the Ogden Gun Club threw targets in 1901.
A clue to the name of the 5th B. Like Matthew Browning, this gentleman shooter was a well-known businessman and also was elected Mayor of Ogden, Utah. Enjoy Our History !
Excellent guess Shotshell99, T. S. Browning would have been one of my guesses as well since he was in fact a shooter, elected mayor of Ogden, Utah and last name starting with the letter "B." However, while its a great and logical guess, it is unfortunately incorrect.
George E. Browning is another logical and excellent answer. Like his brother Thomas Samuel, he was both a shooter and also served as mayor of Ogden, UT from 1926-27. If memory serves me, these two brothers were half-brothers to Matt and John (same father, different mothers). But, George was not a member of the Five "B" squad. You're narrowing down the list Shotshell99. Good job.
That's a good picture of Alex L. Brewer, Ogden Mayor, businessman, trapshooter and a member of the Five "B's". Great job Shotshell99. You are a fellow HistoryBuff. ALEXANDER LESLIE BREWER 23 SEP 1866, London, ENG – 16 SEP 1937, Ogden, UT Family Immigrated to U.S. in 1868 Won 2nd Place Medal at Amateur Shooting Club 30OCT1888 8 of 10 glass balls Secretary of Ogden Gun Club – 1890 Married Clara WEST 09 DEC 1891 at Logan, Cache, UT Incorporated Fruit Canning Co. – DEC 1900 Promoted Trapshooting Tournaments – 1901 Member of Five B’s Squad – 1900, 1901 Democrat Candidate for Mayor – Oct 1907 Elected Mayor of Ogden – NOV 1907 – 1909 Lost Run For Ogden Mayor to Ora Bundy - NOV1929 1901 1937 Sure hope readers enjoyed this bit of our great history! HB
The Man is AMAZING I tell you, "AMAZING" ... Thank you HB one more time, you are the Man , Man ... WPT ... (YAC) ...
