Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Auction Company is pleased to present this sought-after single-shot, lever-activated falling block rifle today for a penny start auction; this is the Browning Model B-78!
The Browning B-78 was in production from 1973 to 1982, with a total of around 24,000 rifles manufactured. Out of these, only 3,293 were equipped with a .25-06 caliber octagon barrel.
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The Browning B-78 was in production from 1973 to 1982, with a total of around 24,000 rifles manufactured. Out of these, only 3,293 were equipped with a .25-06 caliber octagon barrel.
Click here to view our other Live Auctions!
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Browning
Model: B-78
Serial: W5750316
Date of Manufacture: 1975 (The date code numbers were occasionally reversed during early Miroku production, “57” is a reversed “75” in the serial number)
Caliber: .25-06
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 26" Octagon
Optics/Sights: Mounted Bausch & Lomb 2x7 Elite 3000 Scope
Stock/Grips: Checkered Figured Walnut Forearm and Pistol Grip Stock with Fluted Comb and Cheekpiece
Action: Single-Shot; Lever Activated Falling Block
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Credited with over 80 designs, Browning’s legacy includes the Winchester 1892 and 1894, Colt 1911, Auto 5, BAR, .30 and .50 caliber machine guns, and the Superposed shotgun. But, his Model 1878 is one of his most enduring. John Browning started in his father’s gun shop in Ogden, Utah, at age 7. In 1878, he designed and was later granted a patent for his first gun, the Model 1878 falling-block action single shot. His company, JM Browning & Bros, crafted almost 600 guns over the next five years. Browning’s gun was designed for accuracy when long-range shooting was at the height of its popularity at the National Rifle Association’s range at Creedmoor, New York. It joined the ranks of the famous single-shots —Sharps, Remington, Stevens, and others.
Although Winchester was famous for its lever-action repeating rifles, it could not compete in the single-shot market, so the company purchased Browning’s design and production rights for $8,000 in 1883. Released as the Winchester Model 1885 High Wall, with a higher steel frame receiver to handle more powerful cartridges, and the Low Wall, for lighter rounds, the gun earned a reputation as one of the strongest and most accurate of the era. Winchester produced 139,725 in over 90 different calibres by 1920. Sadly, the partnership dissolved in 1898 when Winchester rejected a proposed royalty fee for Browning’s new Auto-5 shotgun. The Browning Arms Company re-introduced the rifle in 1973 as the Browning 78 (later B-78) under license with Miroku in Japan. They produced 24,000 from 1973 to 1982 before tweaking it and re-releasing it as the Model 1885 High Wall in 1985, the Low Wall in 1995, and other variants. Ironically, after Browning ceased production in 2001, the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, now part of the same company, began producing limited editions.
The Browning 78 is a favorite gun to many. While its 26” barrel is longer than most, the gun itself is short because of the action. Heavy but well-balanced, it’s accurate off-hand and off the bench.
Contents:
This example will ship with the scope rings and bases pictured above!
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Model: B-78
Serial: W5750316
Date of Manufacture: 1975 (The date code numbers were occasionally reversed during early Miroku production, “57” is a reversed “75” in the serial number)
Caliber: .25-06
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 26" Octagon
Optics/Sights: Mounted Bausch & Lomb 2x7 Elite 3000 Scope
Stock/Grips: Checkered Figured Walnut Forearm and Pistol Grip Stock with Fluted Comb and Cheekpiece
Action: Single-Shot; Lever Activated Falling Block
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Credited with over 80 designs, Browning’s legacy includes the Winchester 1892 and 1894, Colt 1911, Auto 5, BAR, .30 and .50 caliber machine guns, and the Superposed shotgun. But, his Model 1878 is one of his most enduring. John Browning started in his father’s gun shop in Ogden, Utah, at age 7. In 1878, he designed and was later granted a patent for his first gun, the Model 1878 falling-block action single shot. His company, JM Browning & Bros, crafted almost 600 guns over the next five years. Browning’s gun was designed for accuracy when long-range shooting was at the height of its popularity at the National Rifle Association’s range at Creedmoor, New York. It joined the ranks of the famous single-shots —Sharps, Remington, Stevens, and others.
Although Winchester was famous for its lever-action repeating rifles, it could not compete in the single-shot market, so the company purchased Browning’s design and production rights for $8,000 in 1883. Released as the Winchester Model 1885 High Wall, with a higher steel frame receiver to handle more powerful cartridges, and the Low Wall, for lighter rounds, the gun earned a reputation as one of the strongest and most accurate of the era. Winchester produced 139,725 in over 90 different calibres by 1920. Sadly, the partnership dissolved in 1898 when Winchester rejected a proposed royalty fee for Browning’s new Auto-5 shotgun. The Browning Arms Company re-introduced the rifle in 1973 as the Browning 78 (later B-78) under license with Miroku in Japan. They produced 24,000 from 1973 to 1982 before tweaking it and re-releasing it as the Model 1885 High Wall in 1985, the Low Wall in 1995, and other variants. Ironically, after Browning ceased production in 2001, the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, now part of the same company, began producing limited editions.
The Browning 78 is a favorite gun to many. While its 26” barrel is longer than most, the gun itself is short because of the action. Heavy but well-balanced, it’s accurate off-hand and off the bench.
Contents:
This example will ship with the scope rings and bases pictured above!
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
