Who is Springfield Armory? A Tale of Two Entities
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- čas přidán 24. 08. 2024
- Today we will take a look at the history of Springfield Armory - both the American national arsenal founded in the 1770s and the commercial entity founded in the 1970s.
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Great overview. I grew up in Springfield and my grandparents, met, married, and both worked at the armory until the day it closed (part of that last 100 you mentioned)
Mrgunsngear Channel wow talk about cool history.
It's a small world, I was born in Springfield MA and both my Grandfather and my Father worked at the Springfield Armory.
That's really cool! And also the longest comment I have ever seen by MR gunsngear haha
That factory when downhill after Homer Simpson became safety inspector.
Slobin Hodd: DOUH!!!
Always thought it was ballsy for the current company to claim "since 1794" on their logo.
Maybe 1974, I could handle that.
I’ve been to the Springfield Armory in MA, it’s an amazing museum that I highly recommend anyone going.
Aside from the cool experimental stuff they had (an WWI M1903 with a Suppressor), they also have a manufacturing section that shows how things like the rear sight of an M1 was made.
It kinda sucks that Massachusetts isn’t much of a gun centric state anymore, because it’s really the birthplace of American small arms.
+EdM240B
While not concerning small arms, MA is still huge in the Defense industry.
Nathan Peterson very true...
nathan buck Bruh please, when using pronouns, refer to their object in the same sentence. I am so confused what you trying to say.
Ive been there as well and it is really cool, the polymer experimental guns like the... Needle gun? Are really cool, admission is free and I ended up getting a really cool book called "The Hatchers Notebook" that shows all the stats and lore behind development and testing, along with powder manufacturing and heating and annealing temps and proceses of receivers.
EdM240B yeah I live in Massachusetts it said what happened
Eisenhower warned us about the MIC in his farewell address, and then the very next administration shuts down the only national armory and makes the DoD entirely reliant on the MIC. Pottery.
The Slovenly Tactician A state run MIC like an armory system can still wag the dog just like a private one.
Not really since they're not a for-profit enterprise.
@@DIEGhostfish Only if they are allowed to run awayfor generations.
It did happen in Japan and Prussia, but there are not many other examples I can think of where a military slowly and steadily took over their own country.
Eisenhower wanted to warn us about the military-industrial-CONGRESSIONAL complex, was convinced to drop that part.
@@ineednochannelyoutube5384 - Uh, you don't think that this has happened - just a wee bit - in the US? Do they think that's impossible in a place where there's so many mass killings?
Interesting video. Hopefully you can do one on SIG / JP Sauer / SIG Sauer some time.
greencomputerfan agreed. Would make a very interesting video.
And FN/Browning/Miruko
That would be SIG, JP Sauer, SIG Sauer, Mauser, Blaser and Swiss Arms today.
No. RUAG doesn't make any small arms. They used to make mortars, but that part was sold to SAAB, while SAAB sold it's space division (separation systems for rockets) to RUAG. SiG Sauer, Mauser (the small arms. The mayor caliber side was sold to Rheinmetall), Blaser and Swiss Arms is owned by Lüke & Ortmeier.
Yes! I forgot to mention J.P. Sauer & Sohn Gmbh on the Who Is Colt Video comment I put about there needing to be a SIG Switzerland/SIG Sauer Gmbh/und Sig Sauer Inc. history video that would cover the entirety of their fine quality products from their earliest horse-drawn carriages to arms like the SG550, P210, P220, sig pro series, etc., all the way to the pastuerized products containers they make today as well as the Swiss-Arms company (gesellschaft) or SAG that still makes weapons at Rheinfalls-Neuhausen to this day!! It'd probably be a 3 hour long video (like my comment) but I'd so totally watch it!!! Sorry, I get overtly excited about Swiss-German Engineering und History (Geschichte).
I'm from Springfield, Sixteen Acres specifically. It's cool someone did a piece about the history of the armory, but what you should really do if you visit is get your self some Friendly's ice-cream. They have a factory/restaurant in Wilbraham with great flavors.
Do Armalite! I feel like that is one company that causes a LOT of confusion today with how ubiquitous the AR-15 is today.
Good video.The Springfield Armory firearms company, as of February 2018, continues to display "Since 1794" on its logo on its web page (it's at the bottom in the small logo). This is simply a way to (mis)appropriate any goodwill associated with the original, government armory at Springfield, Mass. I'm a little galled still by the use of the Armory's name in this way - I'm originally from New England and that area of the country produced excellent firearms for many years.
I happen to think there is still a place for a government/national arms development center in the form of something like what Springfield Armory used to be. It need not be the sole producer or developer, but it certainly could be a viable alternative to relying solely on commercial contractors for arms development. I'm glad that at least a nice museum exists at the old Armory. I grew up about a 45 minute car ride southwest of Springfield and haven't been there in a long time. I should go back and visit the Park Service museum on the site.
MikeRybak356 . Evan Williams Bourbon does the same thing. They DO make good booze. It's just not the same company that stared distilling in 1783.
@@justforever96 That confirms what I started researching today, that springfield that makes the X D line of pistols is just ripping off the name of the original armory. Sadly the gun youtuber Sootch claimed that todays springfield armory has been making guns for 200+ years
@stevetheyardguy1738 shoots good, though. Cheap and viable. Call it the Croatian Creation!
Ahhh... McNamara, always the man with a plan who then lost Vietnam
Vietnam was never a winnable war to begin with imho.
@@kyledonahue9315 very true
@@kyledonahue9315 it was an infinite mouse and cat chase
karma for him tho
closing the original armory was and still is huge mistake , aleast they could have kept engineers for research and development and for building and testing prototypes . also intelectual "capital" is invaluable , it takes alot of years to make a good and experienced engineer , there is a good reason why us military is so interesed in saving their pilots , you need years to make a good and experienced pilot while a plane, or a firearm can be builit alot faster . also having alot of experienced and well educated engineers in one place :1) faclilitates multiple approaches in solving problems 2)gives younger engineers an invaluable opportunity to learn form more experienced peers . also there is an issue of tradition .
Fairly confident those persons had jobs waiting at private entities the moment the doors closed.
Mr. Mzr thus the state loosing his century long R&D and craftsmanship edge to the profit of private companies (which can easily be own by foreign groups). Maybe financially it made sense at the time, but unfortunately it's not always in the best interest of its people.
DaiwaMaster I'm not sure what the current laws are, but at least in the past, there were laws preventing defense contractors from being owned by foreign nationals. AM General, for example, used to be owned by AMC, but was cut loose when AMC was bought by Renault. That's the reason the HMMWV/Hummer has a 7-slot grille, despite the 7-slot grille being a trademark of Jeep.
that's not a point . the point is that intelectual "capital" is invaluable , it takes alot of years to make a good and experienced engineer , there is a good reason why us military is so interesed in saving their pilots , you need years to make a good and experienced pilot while a plane, or a firearm can be builit alot faster . also having alot of experienced and well educaded engineers in one place :1) faclilitates multiple approaches in solving problems 2)gives younger engineers an invaluable opportunity to learn form more experienced peers . also there is an issue of tradition .
Except we still had that capability. It's called ARDEC and it's run out of the Picatinny Arsenal.
Growing up in Amherst, MA our neighbor was a gauge maker at the armory. He was a brilliant man. When the Armory closed he went to work at Sturm Ruger until he retired. Now the Armory is a wonderful museum to visit.
I can't express to you enough how much I enjoy this type of video looking into the history and process of the business that is firearms. I'm soo excited to see whatever you wild and crazy guys comes up with next. :D Thanks F.W. crew!
Great vid. Couple notes, the museum has an original stock duplicating lathe. Ana as a life long mass hole Springfield is western MA.
dualsport rider Yeah I was a little angry when he said Springfield is central Mass, lol. That's Worcester.
Ah, yes, the far reaches of Western Massachusetts. Nary a Bostonian dare travel out there, for fear of the beasts they may encounter.
I went there back in 1996, for a tour of the facility.Amazing what they were able to produce.Smith & Wesson's plant was right down the road,so I also was given a tour of that place as well.I don't think they do tours anymore.Not since 911, anyhow.What a shame.Both places were gun-lovers heaven.
Ian you're a great youtuber. One of the best. So much content! I look forward to your videos every day man. Dont stop!
They may have taken the "Since 1794" off some promotional material but it's still on some of their "Saint" line of AR guns and the bags those guns are sold in as of September 2022.
Excellent video! I live in Geneseo, Il the home of the current Springfield Armory Inc. and own a variety of their firearms. They are still well made as was my M1 Garand. Keep up they great videos!
@forgotten weapons they also contracted manufacturing guns to the highschools in the area such as Chicopee highschool during WW2 cause at the time Chicopee high school had a machine shop program so some ww2 weapons manufactured by springfield armory were actually manufactured by highschool kids going to school
Great video! I’d love to see more videos on the history of American arms production. Maybe a video on the history of the Picatinny Arsenal?
The company that 'shall not be named' lol
That's the first thing that came to mind when I saw this LOL!
Jeff England referring to MAC?
Shooter Industries
Yep
That's Colt 🤣
Glad you introduced Elmer Balance. He is generally thought of as the greatest living manual machinist in America. I think that's probably right. I have visited his factory in Devine Texas a couple of times, and he IS quite a character. He knows more about M1s and 1911s than anyone ever except John Garrand and John Moses Browning. He and a guy named Robert Day were armorers at Lackland AFB in the 1960s, and built the best competition guns in the world. Day specialized in 1911s and Balance M1s. If you can find a "Devine" M1 or a "Day" 1911, buy them. BTW when I was there last he still had a bunch of the original Springfield manual machinery from WWII and beaucoup parts for M1s, M14s, 1911s, and even ARs. Elmer Balance is truly a national treasure.
"The gun has played a critical role in history. An invention that has been praised and denounced, served hero and villain alike and carries with it moral responsibility. To understand the gun is to better understand history."
Love these "Who is" episodes!
Great history lesson.., spot on accuracy... I actually live in Springfield Massachusetts and have visited the armory many times.... there is currently a junior college Springfield technical community college also on that site as well as a regional law-enforcement training academy... very historic and great place to visit...
I always Learn something new when I watch you great Channel/Shows Thx
These are my favorite type of video's you do. You would have made a fine history teacher.
Been to the armory it well worth the visit also most of the buildings have become a wonderful community college
@ Ian: about John Garrand working on his M1 rifle while still a Springfield engineer, I would love a video comparing the M1 Garrand and the RSC Mle 1917/18, explaining in detail the similarities and improvements between the two designs. Two well known rifles, but a forgotten story in between ;)
Keep the good stuff coming!
Been to Harpers Ferry, WV. Would recommend going there.
I had one of those M1A's built in Devine Texas.
Really great videos, hope you make more of them Ian!!!
At first, I thought you were talking about the Springfield that has the monorail.
Did you say MONORAIL
MONORAIL, MONORAIL!
Thanks! This is actually one I knew about already, but since the Colt video, I've been looking forward to more like it. Glad to hear you've got some in the works!
Very cool video. I would love to learn about the history of the Remington Arms Company.
I like the history story time. I somehow missed this series when is first came out.
Great video! I love these shorts on the different companies and manufacturers. Thanks!
At the time of this comment (10/26/2018), "Springfield Armory, Inc." is still disingenuously using the "Since 1794" tag in their logo.
Just checked and its still there on 1/2/2021 lmao
I have a sister that works & lives in Springfield Mass, a few years back I was there for a visit. Wasn't thinking of the Armory when I went, as I drove past it the first time I noticed the buildings, as I was raised outside of D.C. those Army buildings all look the same. It took a couple blocks for me to equate Springfield = (Army) Springfield Armory. Didn't have time to go check it out, but will next time.
This is the greatest Springfield of all time.
Soooo.... Another example of how a federally funded institution can still be exceptionally innovative without dealing with the issues of a private company basing all of it's research and decisions on a risk reward basis?
Love hearing the history of these companies
Springfield, MA - where I was born, is part of Western Massachusetts, FWIW. And the Firearms museum at the Armory is excellent and worth a visit if you have achance
MacNamara (who was a bureaucrat in Washington in WW2, went from being President of Ford during the legendary Edsall debacle to running the Vietnam War, another American triumph. Anyone see a pattern here?) pooh-poohed the idea that closing Springfield and transferring what remained of the small arms R&D staff to Rock Island meant that the expertise would be lost when the staff refused to move and quit. "Ninety percent will make the move". Ninety percent quit and the Army's small arms expertise went down the toilet, never to recover. And if anyone wants to bring up the M14, consider the M79 grenade launcher, 20mm Vulcan and 7.62mm Minigun, developed at the same time. If you want to bring up the M60, go see Ian's video on firing the M60.
Do beretta next! So much history there.
Nice of you, Ian, to put it so politely..."they currently outsource many of the parts for their guns both domestically and internationally..." Meaning, of course, they get the stuff made as cheaply as possible wherever they can to some sort of standard that results in a rifle (in the case of the M-1A) that mostly works. I've examined a bunch of M-1A's of recent vintage and the fit and finish of the metal parts is just poor. Sometimes appallingly poor. My own personal M1-A is an early SA when just about all the metal excepting the receiver was surplus USGI M-14 parts. Comparing one of these rifles next to one of current production is pretty...discouraging. If you want one, try and find an oldie.
Great history lesson. I grew up in central Massachusetts. It is much different now.
Love this kind of stuff. Thank you.
This borrowing of historic names seems to be a trend with firearm makers. Rock Island, Inland, and Henry come to mind.
I believe inland is the same inland
No, the current company, is a new LLC (2013, I believe) and has no direct relation to GM or the original Inland GM division. Their website certainly plays on that history, and might leave that impression.
I’m fine with it as long as the companies aren’t putting out trash or supporting gun restrictions, both of which ‘springfield’ seems to be doing. Henry for example makes excellent stuff so no problem there
Sweet, can't wait for more videos like this. Keep up the awesome work Ian!
Ian,
I don't know the specifics because it's been a long time since I was made aware of this. In San Antonio, Texas there is a sidewalk where rifle barrels were used for rebar in reinforcing the concrete. This revelation was pointed out during a walking tour of the Alamo and surrounding area by the guide.
Might make for an interesting bit of trivia... Sorry I cannot supply you with more details. I figure if anyone could track this down, it would be you!
As a 'not a gun guy' I love the videos of this style. I come here for the history, and the history of technological development. Have you considered doing some sort of regular 'history of firearms' podcast?
This is fantastic. The subject matter is great. But even greater is this type and style of video. Very, very well done. As a history buff and gun enthusiast I'm very much looking forward to more. Thanks.
I love this one along w the Colt video you made. Very informative and interesting
My dad worked there at the tail end of m1 production. Very biased against other manufacturers. Great museum and when i have business in Springfield, I swing by. Closed on Mondays.
Great video. Always wondered about that.
Forgotten weapons and In Range TV are the ultimate ignorance killers!
Grew up in Western Mass; We had a trebuchet contest on the parade grounds in high school. Great memories
Your presentations are excellent. I enjoy all of your videos. Thank you.
If you ever have the chance to visit the Armory museum, I highly recommend it. Fascinating place with an interesting collection
Although you mention it, the part RS McNamara played in the demilling of Springfield was much in the press; the small arms testing has not bee really free of "influence" and patronage from then on. And I am including the Stoner system/Ar weapons deal in that gave Colt a huge contract- that sent it's first 1500 AR's to VN- and they hadn't been tested in alluvial river sand -Viet Nam is covered mostly in this stuff, and it lies on the eastern end of of the Monsoon where it will rain for most of the days and nights for 90-100 days. The damn guns jammed, they are much more complicated than the weapons they replaced- as a result many units "saved" as many AKs as they could-the 7.62 Russian ammo was all over the place, and they don't jam on the river sand- no bull! I was in VN late- 71-73, and those AK-47s were still on several firebases I was stationed at. BTW, Robert S was a loser for Ford Motor Co- they hired him to help bailout the double whammy Henry II had engineered with the Edsel (great car but cost more than a Cadillac ) and then doubled down on with the Falcon- building more Falcon parts than they could sell in a season, and renting warehouse space all over Dearborne and Detroit to house them. Lee Iaccoca is the guy brought in to save Ford from RSM's and H II's screwups.
So their one logo on that says "Since 1794" is a complete lie. The current company has nothing to do with the old Federal Armory. I thought that was the case. Reason enough for me to have no interest in owning any of their products. Great video.
Excellent presentation! I own two Springfield Armory 1911s, with the crossed cannon logo, including “Since 1784”. Yes, it is disingenuous, but impressive looking. They are both excellent weapons, reliable, accurate, and well finished.
Always enjoy your videos. You are very knowledgeable and have excellent presentation skills.
Sure I can't have coffee before our weigh-in, but this is an excellent substitute! Fascinating story.
A great summary of history. Thank you.
Hi Ian. Merry Christmas
another great contribution of mr robert mc namara the bean counter !!
Mfw I pull out my XDs from my holster, look and realize the "Springfield Armory" is an import mark.
Yes but when you pull the trigger of that XD at half the price of a Glock and it works every time that import mark doesn't really matter as much. Especially since the Glock is made in Austria. That XD is a very fine hand-gun!
@@aerospacecadet9781 Agreed it's a very fine hand-gun.
@@aerospacecadet9781 XDs are such shitty guns that they have to give people free mags just so they can buy them
@@ZERO_42069 you are so full of bs everyone almost universally agrees it's a great gun pull your head out of yankee marshal and James Yeagers ass.
Ah yes, the great town of Croatia, Texas.
Thank you for this video Ian! Love this type of content.
It would be an interesting discussion to address the issue of having an in-house government armory versus relying entirely on commercial firms to support the country's military. Understand why you deferred that topic for this video but it deserves at least some presentation of both sides of that issue. Thanks!
LOVE this series! Looking forward to more.
Thank you for this interesting video, Ian! As an American Studies student, I always find it fascinating to get an insight into the US' military history.
Did they make heavy stuff in Springfield as well? Things like cannon and howitzers? Where was coastal and naval guns made? Those big 14 and 16 inch guns.
Thank you, very informative
Excellent bit of history. Thank you.
Is this going to be part of a larger series? I would appreciate more history of manufacturers both currently existing and out of business.
You should do one of these on the Mauser company.
Fantastic vid Ian, thanks as always !!
Very informative as always! Thank you!
Very cool video, Ian! It'd be great to see a video about the history of the Mauser company. About how H&K is pretty much Mauser today. Along with information about the current Mauser company that pretty much just makes hunting rifles.
Mauser is still a company, H&K was formed by Mauser employees after WW2. They are completely seperate companys.
It is definitely western Massachusetts, the physical center of Massachusetts is nothing, sprawled out towns etc, the actual center is Worcester county, Blackstone Valley, route 146 and 290 being about the center line., If you get past Dudley Massachusetts you are in the west side, if you go past Grafton, Milford, route 495, you are in the east side.
A other great piece of history. Thanks Ian!
I wish you'd continue this series.
Great video, but I think the efforts of John Hall and Simeon North deserved mention in the Harper's Ferry footnote. :)
Great vid to watch right now since I’m buying my first firearm this week, Springfield XDM 4.5” .40
Excellent job. Do ArmaLite and Rock Island Armory next.
Ian, I'd love to see another vid in this series about Rock Island.
Don't get why people are so upset at them. I got a 1911 from them and over 1000 rounds later i've never had a single issue with it. Quality guns as far as I can tell.
Great presentation, Ian.- Love story of guns, but I love more the History behind them. As allways, You're the best.
Thanks for clearing that up for me. Been wondering about this.
The Devine M1As and S/A up to about SN 20K are all mil-surp parts (except the receiver)...I luckily own an M1A with an 18K AN...all mil-surp...
Springfield Armory; the masters of wood furniture firearms
Great job Ian loved it buddy...👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 I think America is the only country that can/could rely on commercial manufacturing to provide small arms... IMO
You are f-ing awesome Ian. Great video.
Now Ian needs to tackle the clusterfuck that is Indian Motorcycles history and the Team Lotus naming rights debacle.
Great vid! Always wondered what the story was behind "Springfield".
I live in Springfield!
Another fine video! Some firearm history is a great way to start the day!
I like your use of still images. You should do this more often.
If you want to win a bet, tell a US Army Infantryman that he doesn't know his branch insignia. He will automatically spit out, "Crossed rifles of course". You can that point out that Army Regulations state it is crossed Model 1895 MUSKETS. Collect your money. "Two gold color crossed 1795 Springfield muskets (right over left), 19 millimeters (3⁄4 in) in height."
In 1941 at Placenta Bay where the British traded bases for 60 destroyers, I believe 1 million Springfield rifles were also promised. Where any of these delivered? I have never seen a pic of a British soldier with a Springfield.