George Willis Browning was born in Lewes, Delaware on October 4, 1941, the son of Francis Henry Hill Browning and Nancy Boxley Browning of Orange, Virginia. He graduated from Northeastern University in 1965 and served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. After his service, he spent his professional career in investment management. George was an enthusiastic sportsman who loved to hunt and fish. In addition, he actively bought, sold and collected antique firearms for over 50 years, specializing in colonial and revolutionary era pieces.
His interest in weapons started in high school when he traded his guitar for a WW II rifle. As he educated himself about firearms, his interest traveled back in history from the War Between the States to our Revolutionary War. His biggest passion became the Kentucky rifles made in Pennsylvania. He traded for them all his life, and always seemed to have a deal in the works, some of which took years to finalize. His annual trips to the Baltimore Gun Show were always fruitful and a highlight of the year. George could often be found in the study where he kept his collections of antique firearms, decoys, powder horns and books. Most evenings, as Turner Classic Movies played in the background, he would take a gun off the wall, clean it and admire the craftsmanship.
George was a long serving member and two term director of the Massachusetts Arms Collectors, an association dedicated to the study of historical arms. He was also a lifelong member of the Kentucky Rifle Association. Finally, George served as a Trustee of the USS Constitution Museum Foundation where he volunteered on the Curatorial Committee specializing in arms of the period.
George was a man in full. He was accomplished in business, a dedicated outdoorsman, a family man, a giver to the community, and someone who had friends from all walks of life. He was a great conversationalist, loved to tell stories and always created laughter. He was a raconteur and a true gentleman. He has left a hole in the hearts of all who knew him.
Featured Items from the Estate Collection of George W. Browning
NICHOLAS BEYER DAUPHIN COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA FLINTLOCK.
REV WAR AMERICAN FLINTLOCK PISTOL.
THOMAS ALLISON WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA FLINTLOCK RIFLE.
ABRAHAM SCHWEITZER EARLY PENNSYLVANIA FLINTLOCK.
EARLY UNMARKED PENNSYLVANIA FULL STOCK FLINTLOCK.
HENRY LECHLER PENNSYLVANIA FLINTLOCK.
JOHN SHULER FLINTLOCK PISTOL.
S.E. DYKE FLINTLOCK PISTOL.
JOHN MOLL FLINTLOCK PISTOL.
LANCASTER PATTERN FLINTLOCK WITH POWDER HORN.
JOHN PHILLIP BECK PENNSYLVANIA RIFLE.
JOHN SCHULER BUCKS/PERRY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA FLINTLOCK RIFLE.
JOSEPH ARGSTADT PERCUSSION PENNSYLVANIA RIFLE & POWDERHORN.
JOHN BROOKS PENNSYLVANIA FLINTLOCK.
VERY ORNATE LEHIGH VALLEY PENNSYLVANIA FLINTLOCK RIFLE.
PENNSYLVANIA FLINTLOCK RIFLE ATTRIBUTED TO HENRY SPITZER.
S. SPITZER FLINTLOCK RIFLE WITH HORN.
PETER BERRY FLINTLOCK PENNSYLVANIA RIFLE.
PENNSYLVANIA FLINTLOCK ATTRIBUTED TO WILLIAM SHENER.
COLT SAA INSCRIBED ANTIQUE REVOLVER.
