The Four B

Discussion in 'History Buffs' started by Sgoose, Feb 3, 2019.

  1. Sgoose

    Sgoose Mega Poster Founding Member

    This is pic the Four B who are they. Some for Sunday morning.

    20190203_102143.jpg
     
  2. Sgoose

    Sgoose Mega Poster Founding Member

    The 4 B are from left to right G L Becker, John Browning, A P Bigelow and Matt Browning.
     
  3. Flyersarebest

    Flyersarebest Moderator Founding Member Forum Leader

    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.
     
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  4. Sgoose

    Sgoose Mega Poster Founding Member

    Well maybe next times
     
  5. History Seeker

    History Seeker A NoBody Founding Member Official Historian

    Amazing Picture

    Thanks
     
  6. Trap3

    Trap3 Mega Poster

    I`m guessing it`s from a Browning book...

    Trap3
     
  7. Sgoose

    Sgoose Mega Poster Founding Member

    Close but not from Browning Book. Look at the shotgun they are using
     
  8. HistoryBuff

    HistoryBuff US Navy Retired US Navy Retired Founding Member Forum Leader Official Historian Member State Hall of Fame

    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
     
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  9. Jakearoo

    Jakearoo Mega Poster Forum Leader

    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?
     
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  10. HistoryBuff

    HistoryBuff US Navy Retired US Navy Retired Founding Member Forum Leader Official Historian Member State Hall of Fame

    The original patent for the Model 1893 & Model 1897. Invented by the two brothers.

    WINCHESTER Model 1893 & 1897.jpg

    BROWNING & BROS. STORE.jpg
     
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  11. Jakearoo

    Jakearoo Mega Poster Forum Leader

    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.
     
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  12. HistoryBuff

    HistoryBuff US Navy Retired US Navy Retired Founding Member Forum Leader Official Historian Member State Hall of Fame

    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.

    1901-02-14, 80 Yard Targets at Ogden GC - Copy.jpg
     
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  13. HistoryBuff

    HistoryBuff US Navy Retired US Navy Retired Founding Member Forum Leader Official Historian Member State Hall of Fame

    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 !

    OBIT, BROWNING, Matthew - Copy.jpg
     
  14. Shotshell99

    Shotshell99 Local Idiot

    Thomas Samuel Browning

    upload_2019-4-2_20-45-24.jpeg
     
  15. HistoryBuff

    HistoryBuff US Navy Retired US Navy Retired Founding Member Forum Leader Official Historian Member State Hall of Fame

    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.

    1888-09-29, Won Medal.jpg

    1892-07-06, Champion Medal of Utah.jpg

    1943-10-05. Rites Planned For Browning - Copy.jpg
     
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  16. Shotshell99

    Shotshell99 Local Idiot

    Dagnabit! Ok, howsabout George Emmet Browning?

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  17. Shotshell99

    Shotshell99 Local Idiot

    Check that, Alexander M. Brewer. Final answer. Thanks for posting another clue!

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  18. HistoryBuff

    HistoryBuff US Navy Retired US Navy Retired Founding Member Forum Leader Official Historian Member State Hall of Fame

    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.
     
  19. HistoryBuff

    HistoryBuff US Navy Retired US Navy Retired Founding Member Forum Leader Official Historian Member State Hall of Fame

    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

    FIVE B'S SQUAD - Copy.jpg

    1937

    OBIT, BREWER, black&white.jpg

    Sure hope readers enjoyed this bit of our great history!

    HB
     
  20. Rob Greenside

    Rob Greenside Mega Poster

    Great job again, HB !!! ........... thanks and stay healthy my friend !!!!
     
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  21. wpt

    wpt Forum Leader Founding Member Forum Leader

    The Man is AMAZING I tell you, "AMAZING" ... Thank you HB one more time, you are the Man , Man ... WPT ... (YAC) ...
     
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