Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors In Memoriam-Bailey Brower Jr.

BAILEY BROWER JR.
1928-2022
https://www.dailyrecord.com/obituar...L7--sp9yIh8RXcf6erB6NaSzRaJJyl_Tvn1LU2rw

For those Savage pistol collectors and others who are not aware, Bailey Brower, Jr., author of Savage Pistols passed away Saturday at his home in New Jerseyy. Family indicated it was not unexpected after an illness and that his wishes were to be at home. He passed comfortably with his family having said his goodbyes and expressing that he had lead a full life. Bailey is at peace, likely he and Searle are having some interesting conversations.

Bailey and I were friends. He was a mentor and sounding block of all things Savage to myself and hundreds of others. He introduced me to some of the 'Savage pistol greats', many who have also passed on. We first met in the late 1980s after I unexpectedly purchased a small Savage pistol collection while on vacation in California. I returned home and was still unpacking the pistols when the phone rang. I still remember the cultured voice "My apology for bothering you, my name is Bailey Brower Jr from New Jersey and I understand you bought a collection I have been following ...". Over the ensuing decades many hours were spent "talking Savage". Only with my advancing years have I come to realize the joy and value of those hours inspecting or trading pistols, comparing research at show tables or debating production numbers over dinner, or in hand-written correspondence and later e-mails. A persistent collector, he would spend decades in pursuit of items for his world class collection. We might be hashing the Military Contract Pistols. He'd stop, open that briefcase and extract some relevant tidbit of 30-year old information he had collected. Pointed in a new direction, I'd be off and on the hunt, the results usually beneficial to us both.


God bless you Friend, you are missed.

With greatest respect,
Dave Koch

I never met the man but have heard of him. It appears he lived a long and happy life. May he rest in peace.

i have his book on pistols great book

may he rest in peace.


norm

I met him through Fug at a James Julia auction. My wife and I sat with he and Fug chatting for quite some time. He was pleasant and VERY down to earth. I got out of my chair and walked over to him. I asked him to rub my arm. He laughed and said to me, "what on earth for?" I flat out told him, so some of you would rub off on me. Well, then he laughed away and rubbed my arm. He was one helluva man.

While I am sad to read this news it is satisfying to celebrate a life well lived. Rest is peace Mr. Brower.

Relatively speaking I am a newbie to the Savage Pistol Fraternity.
John Wright piqued my interest in Savage pistols, provided mentoring and introduced me to Bailey.
We traded emails and a few phone conversations in recent years where this newbie was treated well.

I am fortunate to possess a few pistols that came via Bailey's collection.
They were special before and more so now.

Thank you for the post Dave.

Met him once or twice, I remember listening to him talk about writing his book at the KC show (I think). I remember Rick & Savage1907 were there as well. I didn't know enough about anything to engage in the conversation at that time, but learned a lot just listening.

Mainly to never enter into a contract with a publisher.

Wish I'd had more opportunities to talk with him, he was a very interesting and knowledgeable fellow. RIP.

Thanks for posting, Dave.

Bailey was a regular at the KC show for years. Dressed in corduroy pants passing out his blue post card sized requests for pistols that he was looking for. Always stopped at the table for a conversation on Savage items. I was not very in to pistols at that time (I mostly blame Dave and brother Jim for that). Baily would end up behind Dave's table for some interesting conversations. I would find my way over there as well, mostly just to listen and learn.

I helped John Wright with his first Savage display at the Ohio Collectors Show. At the show Bailey had his display of special order Savage pistols. Impressive and memorable. Years of dedication hunting the best Savage pistols.

You will be remembered.

I talked to him on the phone a time two while writing the "Collector's Guide". He offered me a lot of encouragement. I think I sent him a copy after it came out. Really nice guy.

Never met him or talked to him but I found his book to be eloquently written. Even though I'm not into Savage pistols, I like having his book on my shelf for that reason. The world of gunnery lost another good man. RIP.

Sad news, I had a very long email back and forth with him on a few pistols, great guy to talk to.