The Guns of John M. Browning at the NRA National Firearms Museum

In 1905 John M. Browning produced a revolutionary autoloading shotgun. Although Browning had been the principal designer for Winchester Arms for many years, this new shotgun caused a break between him and Winchester because the arm was not traditional.

A number of changes were soon added to the pistol; these included an enlarged ejection port, occasional additions of a lanyard loop, and even attachable shoulder stocks.

The final product, which was adopted by the government as the Model 1911, looks markedly different from the original M1905 and, more importantly, has several functional differences. The major difference is that the M1911 barrel is connected to the receiver by only one swinging link at the breech end. During recoil, this link draws the breech end of the barrel down, unlocking it from the slide. The muzzle end of the barrel is supported by a sliding fit in a bushing at the forward end of the slide. Other differences include the addition of an external safety, a grip safety, a different slide stop, and a magazine release button.

A favorite of competitors and recreational shooters, the M1911 first established its reputation as a military arm, serving as the U.S. Army's standard sidearm for nearly 75 years and seeing action in every American conflict from the Mexican Punitive Expedition of 1916 through Operation Desert Storm.

They have also served various law enforcement agencies and continue in that role today, having recently been selected for use by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's elite Hostage Rescue Team. As famous and ubiquitous as they have since become, the M1911's service life began modestly.

Later versions included a folding bipod, fiberglass buttstock, and substituted a "slow rate" of automatic fire for the semi-automatic.

The Model 1886 differed from previous Winchester designs. John M. and Matthew S. Browning designed it to chamber big-game calibers, much to the pleasure of American hunters. Included among its boosters were Theodore Roosevelt, who liked to hunt the big ones.

Winchester's Model 1887 was offered in both 10 and 12 gauge chamberings and its broad receiver side proudly bore a WRA Co. monogram. This strong rolling block design, operated by the traditional Winchester lever action, was favored by express companies and law enforcement. The size and strength of its latest lever-action provided Winchester with a unique experimental platform. A limited number of Model 1887s were built with rifling near the muzzle, and were chambered for the massive .70-150 cartridge. Firing a 700 to 900 grain projectile, this repeater used a necked-down metallic shotshell.

Winchester 94s in .30-30s are synonomous with the term "deer rifle" in the minds of many hunters. This 1913-dated example, originally priced at $26.50, features an octagonal barrel, crescent butt, half magazine, and tang sight.

۬۬In Mexico, France had taken advantage of turbulance in a rebellion-torn United States. Napoleon III sought to take over Mexico, and poured 30,000 troops into Mexico City to support his puppet government. With Union victory, France's dream of a new North American empire faded. The French began to withdraw from Mexico, particularly near the U.S. border, where Springfield-armed troops and Winchester-armed settlers wanted foreign forces out. The improved Winchester Model 1873 made this feasible.