Coincidence?

I just finished reading  "John M. Browning, American Gunmaker" today.

No big deal, except that, as Tam points out, today is the anniversary of his death.

I gotta tell you, if the history is right, and I have no reason to believe it is not, the man was a genius. 

No one else has so many designs to his name. Winchester bought every design they could of his rifles (until they foolishly pissed him off) JUST TO KEEP THEM OUT OF THE HANDS OF COMPETITORS, even if they never produced them.

And he accomplished this feat in a tiny shop, using basic tools and only after seeing the design in his head did he put pen to paper.

And lets not forget his machine gun designs, nor his automatic pistol designs (especially his 1911), nor his shotgun designs.

Without his cooperation and licensing, the firm of Fabrique Nationale would likely not exist. 

The more I learn about this man, the more impressed I become.

What would/cou;d he do today, with better steels, modern polymer, and better machining?

One wonders.

So hats off. Take a moment. If you shoot, realize that you either own one of his designs, or own a firearm that was derived from one of his creations.

RIP JMB.

And thank you.