Key Takeaways
- The Brownell rifle’s catalog presentation emphasized traditional features and its connection to a named custom gunmaker.[1]
- Kimber’s Predator hunting pistol debuted in 1987 but was reported discontinued by the January/February 1988 issue of American Handgunner.[3][4]
- Kimber doubled its catalog coverage of 1911 pistols between 1997 and 1998.[2]
Kimber’s 1986 catalog presented the Model 82 Brownell, a .22 Long Rifle sporting rifle, as a tribute to custom gunmaker Lenard M. Brownell. Its headline described the limited edition as being “in memory of a great friend of Kimber.” Advertised features included a full-length Mannlicher-style stock in AAA-grade claro walnut, a butterknife bolt handle with a checkered underside, and express-type open sights. [1]
The catalog also distinguished its illustration from the production specification. The pictured rifle was Brownell’s prototype for Greg Warne, subsequently engraved by Bob Evans. Its stock was Brazilian walnut; the catalog specified claro walnut for the production version. [1]
Kimber reached toward handgun hunters with the Predator in 1987. This single-shot, bolt-action pistol used the company’s Model 84 rifle action. Introducing it in American Handgunner, Charles E. Petty described its intended role in varmint hunting and its suitability for long-range silhouette shooting. The magazine’s opening text announced that “Kimber now courts the handgunner with a new single-shot pistol.” [2]
That venture was short-lived. In the January/February 1988 issue, J.D. Jones reported that Kimber had discontinued the Predator, citing disappointing sales and production difficulties. [3]
The later expansion into 1911 pistols came under Les Edelman, who had acquired a controlling interest in Kimber. At the 1995 SHOT Show, he presented a 1911 endorsed by competitive shooter Chip McCormick. [4]
The catalogs subsequently gave pistols substantially more space. In 1997, Kimber devoted six full pages to 1911s, including six full-size Classic .45 variants. Differences in grips, sights, and finish helped distinguish the models. In 1998, the catalog space devoted to 1911s doubled, and a new Compact series offered four-inch barrels and shorter grips. [4]
Frequently Asked Questions
It was a .22 Long Rifle sporting rifle commemorating custom gunmaker Lenard M. Brownell. Its 1986 catalog entry advertised a full-length Mannlicher-style walnut stock, a butterknife bolt handle, and express-type open sights.
The catalog pictured Brownell’s prototype for Greg Warne, subsequently engraved by Bob Evans. It identified the pictured stock as Brazilian walnut while specifying claro walnut for production.
Introduced in 1987, the Predator was a single-shot, bolt-action handgun intended for varmint hunting.[3] In January/February 1988, J.D. Jones reported its discontinuation, citing disappointing sales and production difficulties.
Kimber presented a 1911 at the 1995 SHOT Show under Les Edelman, with an endorsement from competitive shooter Chip McCormick.
Kimber devoted six full catalog pages to 1911s in 1997 and doubled that coverage in 1998. The 1998 lineup included a new Compact series with four-inch barrels and shorter grips.
Sources
[1] Bailey, Harold L., Jr. “Lenard M. Brownell, 1922-1982: A Custom Gunmaker.” American Society of Arms Collectors Bulletin, no. 63, 1990, p. 94, including the reproduced 1986 Kimber catalog page.
[2] Petty, Charles E. “The Predator.” American Handgunner, November/December 1987, pp. 50–52.
[3] Jones, J.D. “Handgun Hunting: New 8mm JDJ Passes Field Trial; Auto Mag II Perfect for Rabbits.” American Handgunner, January/February 1988, p. 20.
[4] van Zwoll, Wayne. “Kimber’s Digest.” Handguns, September 24, 2010.
