The M1's accuracy and durability in battle earned it high praise. In 1865, Master Armorer Erskine Allin introduced the "Allin Conversion," which incorporated the far more advanced design of breech-loading into the now-obsolete muzzleloaders, thereby extending their service life. This welcome news came five long days after the world first learned of IFMA’s deal to trade opposition to a gun licensing scheme for a … It was the first federal armory and one of the first factories in the United States dedicated to the manufacture of weapons. In addition to farming, Bob had several other occupations. Bob was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, and has several firearms patents to his name. Transforming Lives", IA, The Journal of the Society for Industrial Archeology, Springfield Armory Closing Ceremony- April 30, 1968, SPR.BL - Springfield Armory National Historic Site, Cooperating Colleges of Greater Springfield, Longfellow House–Washington's Headquarters, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, U.S. National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts, History of the National Register of Historic Places, National Register of Historic Places portal, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Springfield_Armory&oldid=996336217, Armories on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts, Buildings and structures in Springfield, Massachusetts, Buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Springfield, Massachusetts, Firearm manufacturers of the United States, Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts, Military and war museums in Massachusetts, National Historic Landmarks in Massachusetts, United States Army arsenals during World War II, Tourist attractions in Springfield, Massachusetts, American Revolution on the National Register of Historic Places, Industrial buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts, Government-owned companies of the United States, Manufacturing companies established in 1777, Installations of the U.S. Army in Massachusetts, Closed installations of the United States Army, Articles using NRISref without a reference number, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox NRHP with governing body, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 26 December 2020, at 00:12. He hunted big game well into his late 70s, traveling to such places as Mongolia, Azerbaijan, the Amazon, Alaska, Africa, and everywhere in between. Westholme Publishing, August 2016. President George Washington appointed David Ames as first superintendent of the armory. Premium American-made bolt action hunting rifles. Over the next five years many designs were submitted for the rifle, but none met the army's rigid specifications. [7] His father Capt. If Springfield Armory is what you're after, here are the best Springfield handguns for concealed carry. Thanks for your support! This factory was modernized, and the greater part of machining for Springfield and Garand rifles was conducted in it. Springfield Armory, Inc. based in Geneseo, Illinois, began importing their version of the M6, called the M6 Scout, in the late 70’s. The inspiration behind the SAINT AR-15 was born of the desire to build a rifle with upgrades that come standard on even our entry-level model. Designed specifically for the 9mm cartridge, the EMP features shorter dimensions making it one of the smallest 1911s out there. It features the world's largest collection of historic American firearms.[3]. It is now the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, and is managed and operated by the National Park Service. By the 1780s, the Springfield Arsenal functioned as a major ammunition and weapons arsenal. The M14 was produced from 1959 to 1964 and was the U.S. Army's primary combat rifle until being replaced by the M16 rifle gradually from 1964 to 1970. Outer portions of the armory were sold off, including the "Water Shops" production facilities, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Water Shops Armory. Bob is survived by his wife, Carol; three sons and daughters-in-law, Dennis J. and Jane Reese of Geneseo, David R, and Colleen Reese of Colona, and Thomas William and Jane Reese of Geneseo; seven grandchildren and their spouses, Stefany and Chris Toomer, Nicholas Reese, Robert and Bethany Reese, Jon Reese, Kelly and Houston Holt, Carolyn and John Kozlik, and Thomas William Reese; and two great-grandchildren, Ruby Grace Holt and Eli Joseph Reese. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Carol Kleeman. The foundry kept some of the iron as payment, and the remainder was cast into 9-foot palings, formed as pikes and spearheads which were then sunk into a red sandstone base. Accuracy. XD 3-Inch Subcompact The Springfield XD series are some of the most popular and most widely available handguns on the market right now, and one of the best CCW guns of the lot is the first one - … This purchase will appear as Springfield Armory LLC on your credit card statement in 2-3 working days. Ultralight pistol build that offers outstanding mobility and fast-handling characteristics required in close quarters. stefanyr@springfield-armory.com The Main Arsenal now houses the Springfield Armory Museum, which includes the Benton Small Arms Collection, one of the largest collections of weaponry. This article is about the U.S. government arsenal. Over the years, the site has grown, and today has over 2,400 members. One of the most distinctive elements of the Armory is the fence surrounding the site, which was started after the Civil War and completed in 1890. From these individual components, the concept of the assembly line was devised. Around that time, the Mill River was dammed to form a mile-long lake called Watershops Pond. We strive to honor this responsibility as guardians of the original Springfield Armory legacy by manufacturing the highest quality firearms to enable responsible citizens to preserve their right to keep and bear arms in the defense of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Springfield Armory is an American weapons and firearms manufacturer founded in 1974. People were originally excited about the new pistol. Further testament to the M1s role in combat was given by another well-respected military officer, General George S. Patton, Jr., who reported to the Army Ordnance Department on January 26, 1945, "In my opinion, the M1 Rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised." Thanks for using Springfield Armory LLC. [15] The company's products include M1911 pistols and the M1A rifle series. Optics ready out of the box, the XD-M OSP in 10mm ships with three adapter plates to accept today’s most popular red dot optics. Mass production of truly interchangeable parts demanded greater use of machines, improved gauging, quality control, and division of labor; all characteristics of the Industrial Revolution. Technically the company is owned by Belgium firearms maker FN Herstal, but this company has its roots firmly here in the good old U.S.A. John Moses Browning is a legend of firearms history. We want the person who bought a great quality firearm at an excellent price to have comfort in knowing that no matter what, the firearm can be fixed at no additional cost. The XD-M is the perfect pistol for those looking for large caliber performance in a full size platform. It has been in almost constant action for as much as a week without cleaning or lubrication." The TRP is based off the custom Professional Model HRT 1911 developed by Springfield Armory for the FBI. The most iconic battle rifle in American history. Need to update your payment information? The XD set the new industry standard for comfort, ease of operation, features and performance. It was approved for production in as the Model 1903. No payment is due. There is no affiliation or licensing between the original Springfield Armory and Springfield Armory, Inc., despite a timeline on the commercial website of the latter that includes the history of the former. In 1777, patriot colonists established "The Arsenal at Springfield" to manufacture cartridges and gun carriages for the war effort. The Standard Issue M1A is a faithful semi-auto recreation of the original M14. Some doubt exists that the colonists manufactured arms during the Revolutionary War. Bob, his wife, Carol, and their son, Dennis, were the first employees in this next chapter of the legendary Springfield Armory. He loved trips to Camp Perry, exhibiting on Commercial Row and supporting the Highpower Rifle Championships and Bullseye Pistol Championships, an annual tradition that began only months after founding Springfield Armory in 1974. Bob married Carol Schillinger on June 25, 1952, in Geneseo, Illinois, and went on to serve in the U.S. Army National Guard at Camp Cooke in Santa Barbara County, California. This monumental institution went on to serve as a think tank for developing innovative firearms concepts and producing some of the most storied rifle platforms in our country’s history. In 1919, when John Garand was 31, he came to Springfield, where he worked to develop a semi-automatic rifle. One of the most popular lines of pistols on the market is the Springfield XD family of pistols, which is really the most popular products that Springfield Armory makes. In 1793, the National Arsenal contained brass ordnance, howitzers, traveling carriages, shot strapt, canisters filled, quilted grape, iron shot, shells, powder, musket ball, cylinders, caps, paper cartridges, fuzes filled, muskets, swords, various military stores, and implements. Exceptional rifles at exceptional prices. Springfield Armory today is based in Geneseo, Illinois and is privately owned. In 1968, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara announced the closure of the Springfield Armory. He had the cannons sent to a local foundry to be melted down. Springfield Guns, Inc. manufactures firearms. [6] After the war, the Army kept the facility to store arms for future needs. The Springfield Armory was largely involved in the growth and influence of the Industrial Revolution. The core site was preserved and the property was turned over to the city and state. These, along with the additional 47,251 rifles produced by the Rock Island Arsenal and the weapons already in service, were enough to supply the war effort. The XD series is - with one notable exception - a line of polymer-framed, striker-fired pistols, with something for just about anyone. The core site was preserved and the property was turned over to the city and state. Springfield Armory’s new Hellcat is one gun that should meet everyone’s CCW needs without sacrifice.” Watch our exclusive test and review in the video above and learn more about the Hellcat’s size and performance. More importantly though, the users of the site have created over 39,700 posts of content all related to Springfield Armory. They were joined by sons Dave and Tom, and together the Reese family grew the business to be a global force in the firearms industry. Additionally, Springfield is located just north of the Connecticut River's first waterfall (Enfield Falls), which is too steep to be navigated by ocean-going vessels. Yesterday, both Rock River Arms and Springfield Armory severed ties with their own private lobbying group, The Illinois Firearms Manufacturers Association (IFMA). Springfield Armory Inc. engineers, manufactures and assembles their high-quality 1911, 911, SAINT® AR-15 and legendary M1A™ lines of firearms in Geneseo, Illinois. The Armory played a major role in providing weapons for the American Army during the War of 1812. Bob was a man of many interests and talents. These advancements would not only give the Union a decisive technological advantage over the Confederacy during the war but served as a precursor to the mass production manufacturing that contributed to the post-war Second Industrial Revolution and 20th century machine manufacturing capabilities. Each Loaded model brings you all the custom features you want — but without a custom shop price tag. In 1974, two centuries after its inception, Springfield Armory Inc. in Geneseo, IL revived the iconic heritage of the Armory to carry on its legacy and restore the Springfield Armory name. Approval for 90 days interest free offer dependent on applicants credit profile. The main shops were behind the dam and a foundry was built below it. Springfield Armory released a new gun, the XD-E pistol, during the NRA convention last week. The army adopted the rifle in 1936, and production began the next year. May 03, 2017 |. Lightweight and agile rifle solutions that come packed with enhanced components selected for rugged durability. [4] American historian Merritt Roe Smith has posited that advancements in machine manufacturing which allowed the facility to increase production capacity by more than 25 fold, from 9,601 rifles in 1860 to 276,200 in 1864, served as a precursor to the mass production of the Second Industrial Revolution and 20th century assembly line production. They were manufactured by CZ in the Czech Republic. Robert Reese, Founder of Springfield Armory, Passes at 87. He enjoyed boating, water skiing, snow skiing, and racing dirt bikes, but his greatest passion was in all things related to firearms and shooting. View and compare SPRINGFIELD,ARMORY,SPRINGFIELD,XD,ARMORY,SPRINGFIELD on Yahoo Finance. Then, in 1974, the Springfield name was licensed to the Reese family who made it their mission to continue the Springfield legacy. At the young age of 17, he became the North American Junior Trapshooting champion. During this time production ramped up to unprecedented levels ever seen in American manufacturing up until that time, with only 9,601 rifles manufactured in 1860, rising to a peak of 276,200 by 1864. Developed in conjunction with retired U.S. Army 1st SFOD Delta combat veteran Larry Vickers. Many weapons were not manufactured at the Armory, but plans and specifications were drawn up for the use of private contractors who built them elsewhere, representing an economic shift toward the American private arms industry. This began what was to become the greatest production effort in the armory's history: during the entire production history of the M1 rifle, the Springfield Armory produced over 4.5 million of them. The Springfield Armory XD-S is a compact, polymer-framed, striker-fired single stack pistol. With an unmatched emphasis on craftsmanship, performance and exceptional customer service, our mission is to forge superior firearms and provide the tools necessary to defend individual freedoms and equality for those who embrace the rights and principles secured by our Founding Fathers. Following the closure of the U.S. Army Springfield Armory in 1968, the L. H. Gun Co. of Devine, Texas, was renamed Springfield Armory, Inc. to capitalize on the name recognition. GENESEO, ILL. (06/28/19) – Robert R. Reese, 87, of Geneseo, Illinois, iconic founder of Springfield Armory, passed peacefully Saturday, June 22, 2019, in Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, Iowa. Premier components for quick-handling, improved accuracy, and performance comparable to custom AR builds costing much more. Product specifications are subject to change without notice. Brand Communications Manager Much of this grew out of the military's fascination with interchangeable parts, which was based on the theory that it would be easier to simply replace firearm parts than make battlefield repairs. In addition, the War Department contracted for production of the M1917 Enfield Rifle to help aid American troops. Huge Selection, Low Prices. Colonel Roswell Lee, hired as superintendent in 1815, brought centralized authority, cost accounting for payroll, time, and materials, and increased discipline to a manufacturing environment—all business practices still in use today. As of 2011, the 35 acres behind the Springfield Armory (and several of its former buildings) house Springfield Technical Community College (STCC). Washington citing it as his reason for coming out of retirement. 10% off your next purchase! Since 2001, Springfield Armory has enjoyed a strategic, collaborative partnership with the state-of-the-art factory in Croatia working hand-in-hand to develop and engineer the multiple award-winning line of XD® polymer pistols that have become staples in the US marketplace. Springfield Armory, Inc. - Act I: 1984. Bob’s family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com. In 1843, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow visited the Armory and wrote his poem "The Arsenal at Springfield. Our Custom 1911 pistolsmiths have over 200 combined years of experience and individually hand fit every major component of your firearm. Colonel Frank K. Phipps, to advise that he had … The large drum turned two wheels: a friction wheel that followed the contours of the metal rifle pattern, and the cutting wheel that imitated the movements of the friction wheel to make an exact replica of the pattern in wood. In 1968, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara announced the closure of the Springfield Armory. By the time that the United States entered World War I, approximately 843,239 standard service Model 1903 rifles had been manufactured. The barrel length was increased to 18.25 inches. AR-15 solutions in pistol configurations. Robert Rost Reese was born June 27, 1931, in Moline, Illinois, to Thomas William and Ruby Rose (Rost) Reese. Springfield Armory … The Super Match is the culmination of unsurpassed workmanship and all the best competition-legal features you can pack into a match rifle. On Nov. 24, 1903 Capt. This email is the receipt for your purchase. Power is a matter of perspective and the all new XD-M OSP in 10mm delivers both in our most potent and versatile platform. For more information, please visit us at: springfield-armory.com. STCC is the only "technical" community college in Massachusetts, which aims to continue the legacy of technological innovation at the Springfield Armory site.[14]. [8] On January 25, 1787, thousands of Shays' Regulators marched on the Springfield Armory, hoping to seize its weaponry and force a change of government. Loaded with features from top to bottom, the XD-S Mod.2 is a slim single stack pistol perfect for concealed carry. Combining the legendary power and accuracy of the M1A with the quick handling and fast sight acquisition of a scout style rifle. During World War I the Springfield Armory produced ≈25,000 M1911 pistols before all facilities were dedicated to production of M1903 rifles. A traditional M1A, loaded with all the features you want to take your rifle to the next level. Springfield Armory is producing and importing a wide variety of firearms. The facility would play a decisive role in the American Civil War, producing most of the weaponry used by Union troops which, in sum, outpaced Confederate firearm production by a ratio of 32 to 1. An entirely new platform for Springfield Armory, the SAINT™ AR-15 is a premium, features-packed rifle that elevates operation from muzzle to buttstock. Unable to find funding for the purchase of a fence, Major James W. Ripley requested obsolete cannons from government storage, some from the Revolutionary War. The RO Elite features premium upgrades in the popular 10mm caliber for shooters interested in competition, hunting or personal defense. Their 1911 line is right behind them, as they are some fine pistols as well. In 1819 Thomas Blanchard developed a special lathe for the consistent mass production of rifle stocks. [7], In 1786 and 1787, American Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays led an armed, populist uprising that attempted to overthrow the Government of Massachusetts. He was an avid competitive shooter, hunter, and fisherman, who pursued those interests together with Carol all over the world. Physically, the XD-S sits right in between traditional compact pistols (like a Glock 30) and true subcompacts like the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard or Ruger LCP. All rights reserved. T.C. It several times reported that its funding had been delayed.[10]. Famous first as the United States' primary arsenal during the American Revolutionary War, and then as the scene of a confrontation during Shays' Rebellion, the Springfield Armory in the 19th and 20th centuries became the site of numerous technological innovations of global importance, including interchangeable parts, the assembly line style of mass production, and modern business practices, such as hourly wages. [5] The numerous firearm models produced at the Springfield Armory from 1794 to 1968 are referred to as "Springfield muskets and rifles". The last small arm developed by the Armory was the M14 rifle, which was, essentially, a highly modified version of the M1 Garand. Thus, Springfield was the first town on the Connecticut River protected from attack by seafaring naval vessels. The SAINT offers upgraded features where they matter most. (06/28/19) – Robert R. Reese, 87, of Geneseo, Illinois, iconic founder of Springfield Armory, passed peacefully Saturday, June 22, 2019, in Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, Iowa.