Browning Mtn Rifles

[trad64]

Hello All,
I'm new to the forum. Glad I found it. I just purchased a couple Browning Muzzleloaders from a gentleman. They are both new and unfired 50cal. Does anyone know much about them? I paid $1000 for the 2. One of them is a Centenial Model. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Tom

 

[Zonie]

WELCOME TO THE FORUM.
Browning made two versions of these muzzleloaders.

The "Jonathan Browning Mountain Rifle" had a single set trigger which is cocked by pushing it forward, a engraved lock plate and select walnut stock. It was a cased gun with a medallion and powder horn. 1000 of them were made in 1978.

The "Mountain Rifle" was a plainer version that was made starting about the same time.

Over the years as I understand it, several different manufactures were hired by Browning to make these rifles and their quality diminished during that period.

A few people have noted that these rifles "don't look like a Hawken", but they were never intended to "look like a Hawken". They were intended to look "like a Browning" and reflect the spirit of the guns made by Jonathan Browning (1805-1879) who built guns from 1825 thru 1879.
He was the father of John M. Browning who is the person usually thought of when the name Browning and guns are mentioned.

There are several of our members who own Browning Mountain Rifles and they find the guns shoot well.

The latest values I have for these guns is from the book, "Third Edition Blue Book of Modern Black Powder Values" which, being published in 2003 is out of date.

At that time the cased rifle was worth $750 and the plainer version was worth $595.

 

[trad64]

Thank you very much for the help. One of them is plain one with brass and brown hardware. The other has beautiful wood with a medalalin in the stock. It has all brown hardware. Thanks again, Tom

 

[kelleyjk]

$500 unfired is a good deal I see them going for more. Is the medallion about the Mormons?

I really like my Jonathon M Browning mountain rifle which I purchased used/like new for $400. Well made the stock is excellent and its very accurate too. I kinda wish it was a .54 vs .50 though.

 

[paulvallandigham]

I bought three of the rifles when they were going out of business for a ridiculously low price of about $275 each, and sold them to club members. These were in .54 caliber, as the .50 cal. guns had sold out. They are fine rifles, and shoot very well. You made a great deal! Enjoy. :thumbsup:

 

[rafterob]

Sounds like a fair deal. I would store/display the "Centennial" version and shoot the other one.

 

[RCB1917]

I had one years ago ('76?) in .50 cal. It was a mountain rifle and had iron hardware. Wish I never sold it. Good shooter too.

 

[luieb45]

I wish they still made these because it'd be cool to have one since I do live only about 5 miles from where his shop was in Nauvoo, IL. I'm not sure if he made these type of rifles at that shop or if it was those harmonica guns like he made a couple years earlier at his shop in Quincy, IL(35 miles south of me).