Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

Mystery Browning .380 Presentation

italstalyon
I have a Browning .380 Renaissance engraved. It is in a black leather presentation case with blue cloth in the molded case. It is very nice and looks to be a fine piece.

The .380 was made in Belgum some time before 1955 as one of the grips is engraved with the inscription "To Chief Kettman From Winfred Browning 1959" . I have no idea what the history is on this and would love to know. I found out the Chief Kettman was the Chief of Police in Palm Springs, CA. at that time but can find no other info on why and who was Winfred? the serial # is 521312. If you have any info please let me know.

Thanks
0

Comments

7 comments

Date Votes
  • tsr1965
    I do not happen to have any history for you, but would love to se some good pictures of this,,,as I am sure we all would. There is a sticky at or near the top of the forum, that describes how to post pictures. You will need a photo hosting URL to do so.

    Best
    0
  • Hawk Carse
    I think the main thing to be known is whether Winfred Browning is from The Inventor's family. But I find no mention of the name in online bios of John, Val, or John V. Browning.
    0
  • italstalyon
    Good Morning fellas - Thanks for the interest as you share in the mystery now. I have looked also in the history and can find little mention of a Winifred except way back close to the early 1900's much to early to be involved. I have some pictures but I am not sure how to get them up on this site as I just joined and am not familar with the procedure.
    0
  • rufe-snow
    quote:Originally posted by italstalyon
    Good Morning fellas - Thanks for the interest as you share in the mystery now. I have looked also in the history and can find little mention of a Winifred except way back close to the early 1900's much to early to be involved. I have some pictures but I am not sure how to get them up on this site as I just joined and am not familar with the procedure.




    Instructions for posting photos in the forum, at this link.

    http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=259294


    Contact the library, historical societies and newspaper(s) in Palm Springs regarding Kettman. If he was their Chief of Police, they likely would have quite a bit of info on him.
    0
  • BigLoop22
    italstalyon,

    I, too, would love to see pictures of your gun.

    Here is the obituary for a man named "Winfred O. "Wink" Browning":

    http://www.kentforestlawn.com/obituary.jsp?site=0243&id=45041

    Here is a minor obit, for the same man, "Winfred Orville Browning":

    http://www.tributes.com/show/Winfred-Browning-86015090

    Could he have crossed paths with Chief Kettman?


    Here is how to post pictures:

    http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=259294







    ****************************
    0
  • italstalyon
    Hello All
    I finally got the pictures to an online web site and will try to make a link for you to see what I am talking about.

    When I got this Browning I put it in a safe place and didn't bother it. Years latter when I opened the box the grips had bowed at the screw. I loosened the grips and took them off and placed them between some books and left to straighten. After a few months they were straight and I put them back on and put it away. When I opened it up again a year later the one grip had cracked. I was astonished. I am enclosing the links to see the pictures. Enjoy.

    Smiles

    http://picasaweb.google.com/boogyrat/Tif02#5388983082039777026

    http://picasaweb.google.com/boogyrat/Tif02#5388984482756459970

    http://picasaweb.google.com/boogyrat/Tif02#5388984769114500450


    Thanks for shopping!
    0
  • Spider7115
    quote:Originally posted by BigLoop22
    italstalyon,

    I, too, would love to see pictures of your gun.

    Here is the obituary for a man named "Winfred O. "Wink" Browning":

    http://www.kentforestlawn.com/obituary.jsp?site=0243&id=45041

    Here is a minor obit, for the same man, "Winfred Orville Browning":

    http://www.tributes.com/show/Winfred-Browning-86015090

    Could he have crossed paths with Chief Kettman?


    Here is how to post pictures:

    http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=259294

    ****************************


    I, too, was confused as to the actual first name of the presenter: Winfred (male) or Winifred (female). The engraving clearly shows the latter so more research about her is necessary. Nonetheless, it's a beautiful piece.

    IMG_0092.JPG
    IMG_0091.JPG
    IMG_0094.JPG
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity