2-12-9 Springfield Armory

By 1786, the American Revolution, it seemed, had almost gone to far. General George Washington wrote: "I am mortified beyond expression when I view the clouds that have spread over the brightest morn that ever dawned in any country...What a triumph for the advocates of despotism, to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves and that systems founded on the basis of equal liberty are merely ideal and fallacious."

With a lack of work today The Springfield Armory has been on my wish list to check off. Haven't been here since the mid eighties. In 1777 Gen. George Washington and chief of artillery Col Henry Knox chose this site.

Walking into Armory theres a hoist to get munitions stored upstairs. Back up the wagon and start pullin.

You see one of these at a location your in for something good.

First weapons made at Armory was model 1795, musket modeled after French Charleville that was popular with Americans during the revolution.

Lots of displays, here's one on the making of site for M1. The Springfield M1 became my favorite rifle in the many world war II video games Ive played. From the sound of the clip pop on the last round fired to the accuracy and local of manufacturing this is hollowed ground indeed. John C. Garand invented this rifle that General Patton claimed to be The greatest weapon ever made.

Lots of old pics of some hard looking lard cooking Americans.

Before OSHA and other government regulations this warning bell would let you know not to lean against machinery.

Armory has survived fire, below is low tech leather bucket. Putting out a fire has sure come a long way from bucket brigade.

Heres a lathe that cut wood into gun stocks. This machine worked on the same principle as modern key machine today. Thomas Blanchard patented this in 1819. This is the only surviving example.

Heres a case of some important production M1 rifles.

Pics of serial numbers.

Heres what I always thought was the gem of the place.

Not everyday you see a "do not touch cannon sign" coming to the end of my tour saved the movie for last. Make sure you see it before you leave, fifteen minutes on history of site.