Made: 1878-Present (under Browning and Winchester brands)
Variants: Over 90 different calibres from .17 to .50, plus 20 ga.
Production: 164,325 excluding modern Winchester 1885s
Original price: $25 for an original Browning 1878
Current value: $15,000-$25,000 U.S. for original 1878; $5,000-$12,000 U.S. for vintage 1885; $1,500 Canadian for vintage Browning 78/1885; new 1885 MSRP $1,749 Canadian
When I announced that I was planning my second moose hunt, my wife quipped, “I suppose that means you need another gun!”
“It does now,” I replied as I rushed to the gun shop and snatched a 1975 vintage Browning 78 .30-06 off the racks.
It has since surpassed my expectations.
John Moses Browning
My moose gun story is tied to John Moses Browning, who’s considered one of the greatest firearm designers. Credited with over 80 designs, Browning’s legacy includes the Winchester 1892 and 1894, Colt 1911, Auto 5, BAR, .30 and .50 calibre 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.
Gun markets
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 licence 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.
A favoured firearm
The Browning 78 is one of my favourite guns. 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. I hear that it outmatches its rival, the Ruger No. 1 falling block, so I may need to acquire another moose gun, for testing purposes.
Originally published in the Nov.-Dec 2019 edition of Ontario OUT of DOORS magazine
I would like to have a conversation with the Author, if possible ,
I am the proud owner of a Browning 78 that started life as a 25-06, Survived a fire very nicely, had its action sent to Browning to confirm its condition & Rockwell Hardness, barrel was recut to 280 dimensions and rechambered to .280 AI – I redid the stock in a light English Walnut w/a Schnabble Forend – its running mate is an Original 1885 HiWall redone with similar wood, in 45-70 that sports a Malcomb Style Scope sighted in @ 100 & 200 for internal cross hairs & can be adjusted way beyond these ole eyes with my favourite load 66.0 grains of FFG with 550 Gr. PaperPatched Bullet… love those Falling Blocks
I have a grade “1” 1885 straight stock,” Moruko”.
I also used to have a 78 as well, got rid of it.
My straight stock is great.
At the range had a young fellow ask me “ what kind of gun is that”
Another fellow claimed he had to have one.
I asked him “How deep is your pocket”
Albert
About 10 years ago I purchased a used Browning B78 in 30.06 caliber. At that time, I was looking for more challenges and ways to make me a better hunter. With that in mind, I looked into single shot rifles and, after some research, settled on the B78. I soon discovered that few of these rifles are available for sale in Canada so I ended up purchasing mine from the US. Once I received my rifle, I discovered that it was the 53rd produced in the inaugural run in 1973. I think that is pretty cool. I’m very pleased with the rifle as it very accurate, especially after I shimmed the forensic and mounted a high quality scope. Using handloads, I can get 3 bullet holes to touch at 100 yards. Most importantly, the rifle helped me down half a dozen moose and deer since I picked it up. It’s not hard to like that!
Great article !! (Dec08 2020)
I find any and all information on the new versions of the Browning B78 and Winchester 1885 rifles, as well as their historic cousins, of interest.
I own and shoot a Winchester 1885 (Miruko) in 45-70 Gov’t. I have been trying for some time to determine the CUP rating (test results) for the Winchester (Miruko) rifle without success.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Ron MacDonald
Combermere, Ontario
Hello all
I have a Browning model 78 30-06 caliber medium heavy barrel ,the riflre is s highwall.
the serial number is 1005v57????
I can not seem to find it on any of the browning sites.
Can anyone date this for me .
Thanks in advance
Paul Geschke
BC Canada
Thanks for reaching out, Paul. Ken Doherty responds: “Paul, your B-78 dates to the same year as mine—1975, provided the “V” is actually part of a “W”. The 1005 represents your gun in the actual production run; the “W” denotes the Model, B-78; and the 57 represents the year in reverse as 1975. I had similar issues dating mine but did eventually get it confirmed by Browning. Great gun!”