John Moses Browning was born in Ogden, Utah, and was an American firearms designer who developed many varieties of firearms, cartridges, and gun mechanisms, many of which are still in use around the world.

 He is the most important figure in the development of modern automatic and semi-automatic firearms and is credited with 128 gun patents—his first was granted October 7, 1879.

 Browning influenced nearly all categories of firearms design. He invented or made significant improvements to single-shot rifles, lever action rifles, and slide action firearms. His most significant contributions were in the area of autoloading firearms.

 In 1880, with the aid of his brothers, John Moses Browning established his arms factory. (J.M.Browning)

 Nov. 26, 1926 John Moses Browning died of heart failure at Liege, Belgium.

 Sept., 1927 J.M. & M.S. Browning Company was incorporated in Utah with the Browning Arms Company as a subsidiary. It offers a wide variety of firearms, including shotguns, rifles, pistols, and rimfire firearms.

 The company was founded to market the sporting (non-military) designs of John Browning, one of the more prolific firearms inventors. Nearly all of John Browning's designs have been manufactured by other companies, including Winchester, Colt, Remington, Fabrique Nationale de Herstal of Belgium, and Miroku.

 Browning Arms Company is best known for the Browning BPS shotgun, the A-Bolt rifle, X-Bolt rifle, the Auto-5 semi-automatic shotgun, the BAR semi-automatic rifle, and the Hi-Power 9mm pistol. Browning also manufactures a set of trap shotguns in the Cynergy series.

 1951 J.M. & M.S. Browning Company liquidated, and Browning Arms Company became an importer with wholesale functions.

 Jan. 1, 1955 A newly created Browning Industries accepted the import functions previously held by J.M. & M.S. Browning Company. Browning Arms Company became the parent company.

 1958 Browning Arms of Canada created, 70% Browning owned, 30% FN owned.

 1964 Browning Corporate Headquarters relocated to Route 1, Morgan, Utah.

 1965 Browning began negotiations with Miroku Firearms in Japan.

 1968 St. Louis sales operation relocated to Morgan, Utah. Warehouse/parts and service moved to Arnold, Missouri.

 1977 90% of Browning Arms Company outstanding stock was purchased by FN and Miroku.

 Miroku Corporation is a Japanese manufacturer located in Nangoku, Japan. A large part of their business is manufacturing firearms, including shotguns produced for Browning Arms Company. In the UK and European markets those products are sold under both the Miroku and Browning brand names.

 Miroku produces arms for Browning, but unlike Browning arms, are much cheaper to manufacture with japanese labor, but generally accepted as rugged and reliable firearms.

Browning References:
 Browning Sporting Arms of Distinction: 1903-1992 This is considered to be the book on Browning firearms. Eastman's account contains John Browning's inventions, serial numbers, proof marks, and engravings. In addition, all models of the famous Browning line of fine guns are covered, including over-and-under shotguns, semi-automatic shotguns & rifles, double-barreled shotguns, pump shotguns, single-barreled shotguns, lever actions, bolt actions, .22 rimfire rifles, center-fire and .22 pistols, special edition and collector's models, and much, much more. Finally, the history of the Browning family, the inventions, the company, and Browning's association with Colt, Winchester, Savage, and others is detailed in this all-inclusive book, which is profusely illustrated with hundreds of pictures and charts.

United States Hunting Economics:
 In 2001, over 13 million hunters spent over $20.5 billion on their sport alone.