When is a Springfield not a Springfield?

In January of 1776, Henry Knox, Chief of Artillery for the Continental Army, passed through Springfield, MA on his way to deliver heavy cannons captured at Fort Ticonderoga to General George Washington for use in the siege of Boston.  During his short visit, Knox was impressed with the town’s strategic location for America’s War for Independence.  A year later, Springfield became the location for the principal arsenal for the northern states during the war.  The site was used for everything from the assembly and repair of small arms, to the manufacture of wagons, saddles, fuses and cartridges, as well as a storehouse for powder and other instruments of war.  Eleven years later, in 1794, the National Armory at Springfield was established by President George Washington.

For the next 192 years, the Springfield Arsenal would be the birthplace of such famous weapons like the 1903 Springfield and the M1 Garand, as well as machinery like the Blanchard Lathe which allowed for faster production of wooden stocks.  However, in 1968, amid controversy, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara closed the armory that was established by our country’s first President for all time.  Not another firearm would ever come from its hallowed halls, and none have come forth since.

That same year, Elmer C. Balance registered the trademark “Springfield Armory” for his new company that made civilian versions of the venerable M14 in San Antonio, TX.  Shortly thereafter, he sold his company to the Reese family.  The new owners expanded the line into handguns, particularly the M1911 with tremendous success.  The company was eventually moved to Genesco, IL where it resides today.  It has no association or connection to the original Springfield Armory other than the name.

Although their M1A rifles are manufactured at the Illinois facility, all of Springfield Armory’s handguns are all manufactured by different companies in other countries in accordance to Springfield Armory’s high standards.  Their M1911 derivative pistols are manufactured by IMBEL in Brazil, and the XD series pistols are Springfield Armory stamped HS2000’s manufactured in Croatia.  Springfield Armory also boasts on of the finest 1911 custom shops on the planet.

So, when Springfield Armory says that they’re “The First Name in American Firearms”, that is true.  But what’s in a name?  In this case it’s history, tradition, and good old American ingenuity.  Fortunately, Springfield, Inc. seems to be continuing that tradition just fine.

Don’t you think?