POTD: The Sweet Sounding Pepperbox – The Mossberg Brownie
Sam.S 11.01.23
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have Mossberg’s first pistol. The diminutive Mossberg Brownie pocket pistol emerged in 1920 as the company’s first handgun, priced at a mere $5. Designed by founder Oscar Mossberg, the Brownie was a 4-shot .22 LR reminiscent of a derringer with its double-action trigger and rotating firing pin. An earlier version had been licensed to the Shattuck Arms Company, hinting at Mossberg’s pre-branded gunmaking career. Named to recall the popular Browning pistol, Brownies were marketed for self-defense and trappers. Their 2.5-inch barrels limited ballistic potential, but palm-sized size encouraged discreet carry. A top break lever allowed barrel access, while a separate rod extracted spent cases. Despite limitations, Brownie production ran for over a decade, an impressive lifespan for Mossberg’s inaugural handgun attempt. Around 30,000 were made through 1932. While eclipsed by later pistol efforts, the humble $5 Brownie helped anchor Mossberg’s early fortunes, embodying the company’s leanings toward practical affordable arms.
Lot 2973: Four Handguns – D) Mossberg Brownie Four Barrel Pepperbox Pistol. (n.d.-al). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved October 31, 2023, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/1034/2973/four-handguns.
