Springfield 1911a1 Serial Number Lookup
I've been comparing it to my other 1911s and that old Springfield seems to have a ' harder ' steel. Seems to be thicker in all dimensions almost similar in weight and looks to the PRO model. Seems to be thicker in all dimensions almost similar in weight and looks to the PRO model. Jun 20, 2006 Dating a Springfield Armory Springfield Armory. Advertise Here. Forum Reviews Rules. Appearantly the search function is not my friend. I have tried several wordings, but to no avail. I need some help determining the manufature date of my SA. I was told it looked like an early Mil-Spec with the NM serial number. It does have the NM at the begining of the serial number.
The Springfield and IMBEL relationship has been an upfront fact since SA went into the 1911A1 business. I'll venture a guess that the workforce Springfield has at their Illinois facility hasn't ever been reduced.
I have two N Mil-Specs and one NM Mil-Spec. I have found that the NM is definately tighter in the slide to frame fit, but also in some other areas that I don't care for. The thumb safety is difficult to remove compared to the N guns.
So not to be remiss in omitting some further information. The 'IMBEL' laser etched markings apparently come in at least three variations. At least that's what I'm looking at right now. • I have a parkerized Mil-Spec, N serial number, made in April 2002. It's marked ' FI BRAZIL' in a single line, bottom of dustcover. • A parkerized G.I.
• Note:If you are researching a particular weapon by serial number, please • Library of Congress • • An excellent source of searchable photographs and bibliographic citations and references, with quite a large amount available online. • Other Resources • There are a number of websites devoted to the history of particular firearms, including those manufactured at Springfield Armory. While some are particularly well researched, the information on others varies.
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My first encounter was when shopping for my first 5' SA. The stainless loaded's I saw were rough and loose while the loaded target's were much better. A lot of it was just the difference between pistol 'a' and pistol 'b'.
These entities can be located via an internet search engine, using terms such terms as: 'Springfield', 'Firearms', and/or 'Research'. • Other Research • The region surrounding the park is rife with colleges and universities. If you cannot make it on-site to research, we recommend you contact the History Department of any number of local schools. Graduate students are sometimes available to hire for research at reasonable rates. Springfield Armory NHS has no records that reflect the disposition of individual firearms during or after their manufacture at the historic Springfield Armory. As a Federal military facility from 1794-1968, the Springfield Armory's records are, by law, maintained by the National Archive and Records Administration (NARA).
A lot of debate has gone around on the internet about what the ' NM' serial number prefix stands for. Some believe that it stands for 'National Match', which is typically the case when you see that marking, however it's not so with Springfield 1911's. It is well known that Springfield Armory Inc. 1911's start from IMBEL forgings from Brazil.
It's savvy marketing. Which in its self is as American as apple pie. One last thought. Springfield could produce their 1911A1 pistols entirely in the U.S.A. This would require that they forge (or contract to a domestic supplier) all frames, slides and barrels.
That's not changed. Doubt it ever will.
Springfield 1911a1 Serial Number Lookup
These cuts are done at Springfield's facility in Geneseo, IL. The NM prefix Loaded's (as well as the Range Officer, TRP and Trophy Match) have the magwell and most of the internal cuts done, but no rail cuts. The final CNC machining on NM prefixes is done in Illinois. This information was from this.
I've been saving money for a mil-spec for a long time. I've posted threads about my enthusiams. However, i was very disappointed when i saw 'Brazil' engraved on the frames of mil-specs at my local gun shop. This comes straight from Deb/Vicky at Springfield. If > 50% of the work is done on one of their pistols in Brazil, then somewhere on that pistol it will be marked 'Brazil'. Should > 50% be done in Geneseo, IL, then it does not require a 'Brazil' marking. That is where the 'MADE IN BRAZIL' rollmarks come from.
Jammer.here's a little piece of advice that may save you a stroke or MI in the future. Every thread on this and every forum has a topic listed. If that topic interests you, please, by all means click on it and give your input. It would be greatly appreciated. On the other hand, if it doesn't interest you and the only input you can give by clicking on the thread is 'here we go again.' Or 'use the search button.' Or any other of the forum nazi responses.just do yourself and us a favor and DON'T CLICK ON IT.
Also this gun had a satin stainless finish, ext.thumb safety and slide release, wood grips and mil spec sights and and grip safety, it also had the old style rear cocking serrations. Is this an odd equipped gun or standard issue for the time? If you'll check out the site and the archives at 1911forum.com.you'll see more than you wanted to know I'm sure. In short.SAs' factory is in Brazil. There are a FEW models fitted and finished in the USA.Almost all the production pistols are made, fitted, and finished in Brazil. You can contact SA for info on the models that are fitted and finished here.More than likely.it will be the TRP Pro, The Trophy Match and anything that is custom ordered will be done by Dave Williams and crew at the SA Custom Shop. I have an SA Champion that I've had for almost a year.It was ok for a while, but I had to replace the ejector, extractor, safety and buff it up a little.It's totally trustworthy now.They are a good place to 'start'.
Seems to be thicker in all dimensions almost similar in weight and looks to the PRO model. I have a Milspec and a Star PD.
Serial Number Lookup Model
10, 1918 to May 24, 1919 14) North American Arms: S/N 1 to 100 & S/N’s 111, 222, 333, 444, 555 = July 1, 1918 to Dec. They are very rare and rank in value with Singer models. ( None of these were reported shipped to any branch of the military but about 100 regular models and about 5 presentation models were manufactured in Quebec, Canada by the North American Arms Company, Ltd.) 15) A. Savage Munitions Co.
There are entities that have compiled these references and, for a fee will give you that information or conduct research for you. If you wish to hire one of these entities, see the section above, entitled 'Private research services'.
That's about it.
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How many Springfields were involved on a particular day depended on what activity it was. That went on for maybe three years at that rate. The round counts are up there on the milspecs I kept, and I won't have another Micro or Loaded model. Neither of the milspecs show any signs of slowing down-- I know a lot of people get all wrapped around the axle about different wear parts starting around 40,000 rounds, but I'm not worried. I watch the pull weight and keep them clean.
When I contacted SRS, offering to send them the information, they weren't interested in that, or correction of their records, which obviously referred to RIA 78180.
24, 1918 10) Colt: S/N 450,000 to 629,500 = Oct. 24, 1918 to April 10, 1919 11) Springfield Armory: S/N 72,571 to 133,186 = April 1914 to April, 1917 12) Remington-UMC: S/N 1 to 15,000 = Aug. 10, 1918 to May 24, 1919 13) Remington-UMC: S/N 15,000 to 21,676 = Aug.
I have a springfield that i bought new in early 2000. I think it was a older production gun, anyway it has a NM prefix on serial number and no brazilian markings anywhere. I haven't seen any others with the NM an fellow at the range was saying it was a national match gun, i feel he is full of poop. Whats up with the prefix? Also this gun had a satin stainless finish, ext.thumb safety and slide release, wood grips and mil spec sights and and grip safety, it also had the old style rear cocking serrations. Is this an odd equipped gun or standard issue for the time?
Military Versions from 1912 to 1945. Manufacturer/Serial Number/Date Made Beginning of M1911: 1) Colt: S/N 1 to 3190 = April 16, 1912 to May 31, 1912 2) Colt: S/N 3190 to 7501 = May 31, 1912 to Oct.
Some records did survive as incidental attachments to other, more permanent records. There are entities that have compiled these references and, for a fee will give you that information or conduct research for you.
I've had 2 but they were older.The first was an early model that I had no problems with.It wasn't a Colt but it was a good gun.I did replace the lockwork because I shot alot of matches with it,and although I didn't keep count there was well over 10K through it before I parted with it.It had the NM serial number prefix.That doesn't stand for National Match,but the frames are better than the N's in general. I have an older Loaded made in '98 if I recall, I bought it used in 2005, it all appeared to be original. Round count is somewhere between 5K and 10K that I've shot, I stopped counting after a while. I can say that I've shot it enough to wear the bluing off the front strap and rear o the frame where the grip safety is.
I've decided to just keep this one and buy the other one.one can never have too many guns, right LOL kgrimm86, I think you made the right decision in keeping it. I too have a SA similar to yours. Axn seriale vechi. I think back in the day SA called it ' Standard ' which equates to todays ' Mil-Spec ' as there were no GI Model back then. Mine has the blocky frame and brushed blued finish. My gun is serial numbered ' NM 145xxx '. I've been comparing it to my other 1911s and that old Springfield seems to have a ' harder ' steel.
On the other hand, if it doesn't interest you and the only input you can give by clicking on the thread is 'here we go again.' Or 'use the search button.'
Likely it's grown. In essence, Brazilian labor hasn't taken any jobs away in Geneseo. It's added to them by virtue of Springfield's increased sales. Even if the pistol is made in Brazil and completely finished there, it still must pass thru the Geneseo facility.
All easy to fix stuff and no big deal really but. The one that I don't like is that the NM slide over hangs the rear of the frame when it is in battery. Not by much but still noticable. The N guns are perfect all around. Maybe I got two perfect N Mil-Specs, or I got a not so perfect NM Mil-Spec. They all shoot very good and are dependable running guns with all of the ammo I've tried so I am happy with all three guns. I have two N Mil-Specs and one NM Mil-Spec.
I have an SA Champion that I've had for almost a year.It was ok for a while, but I had to replace the ejector, extractor, safety and buff it up a little.It's totally trustworthy now.They are a good place to 'start'. And the pistols from the Custom Shop are at a different level than the rest of the production pistols. They are getting better all the time according to the posts I've seen and from other owners comments I've seen. You can contact me at if you need anything further. _________________ >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>g2[ This Message was edited by: gyp_c2 on 2001-10-04 18:30 ].
The latter is on the Connecticut River in western Massachusetts and was closed in 1968. The former is in Illinois and began in 1974 when the Reese family obtained the rights to the Springfield name. They're very clear about this fact. And have never claimed to be the 'original' Springfield Armory. They do have the name. And rightfully claim to preserve the heritage. It's savvy marketing.
I have found that the NM is definately tighter in the slide to frame fit, but also in some other areas that I don't care for. The thumb safety is difficult to remove compared to the N guns. The main spring housing is tight and needs to be pryed out of the frame. The trigger does not slide out freely. All easy to fix stuff and no big deal really but.
While I never had an exact hit for specific serial numbers I do have a Sharps carbine and a M1896 Krag that were a dozen or so numbers off from published numbers. The carbine is very near others reported as being issued to some Indiana cavalry regiment and the Krag was close to several listed as being issued to a unit called the Cumberland Guards (Kentucky militia?). Unfortunately, I assumed the information would always be there and didn't write the details down. When I first saw his book, I had hoped that M1903s would be included, but no such luck. He does include Krags and M1917s, though. I have a couple of matches - both National Match rifles.
The round counts are up there on the milspecs I kept, and I won't have another Micro or Loaded model. Neither of the milspecs show any signs of slowing down-- I know a lot of people get all wrapped around the axle about different wear parts starting around 40,000 rounds, but I'm not worried. I watch the pull weight and keep them clean. That's about it.
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This led to the establishment of a pistol plant at Springfield Armory. This Springfield 1911 has the third type long hammer with rounded rear edge. The ordnance 'flaming bomb' replaced the Rampant Colt on the left rear of the slide, behind the slide serrations. The ordnance 'flaming bomb' was also located on the frame where the inspectors mark typically appears on Colt manufactured 1911 pistols. Unlike commercially contracted weapons, government manufactured arms did not require an ordnance acceptance mark. Right side of slide bore the standard slide inscription of the Colt Model 1911 -- 'MODEL OF 1911 U.S. Checkered walnut grips with uncheckered diamond areas around the grip screws were standard.
Wow, I guess I've pretty much outlined the differences between a G.I., Mil-Spec and a Loaded models!
The number of rows of checkering between the points of the uncheckered diamonds number 11 +/- 1. The eagle, which was formerly the symbol of Springfield Armory, was placed on the right side of the slide.
The 1911's that have the 'Brazil' import marking's on the frame have more than 50% of the work performed by IMBEL, these would have the ' N' prefix. The GI's are also made in Brazil and have the WW prefix. The Mil-spec model's can have either a N or NM prefix, with the N being more common. Springfield's Loaded models, could either have the N or NM prefix. Model's with the N prefix are imported almost complete with the exception of the sight and beavertail grip safety cut's.
Especially this part of it! I do want to add a bit more regarding those markings.
Had two thumb safeties break in half. One was the SA original, one was a Wilson.
Navy Yard, Brooklyn, N.Y.) = March 9, 1912 to March 5, 1915) 7) Colt: S/N 108,601 to 290,000 = Feb. 8, 1915 to May, 1918 (S/N 109,501 to 110,000 Navy Model, S/N 223,953 to 223,991 Navy Model, S/N 232,001 to 233,600 Navy Model) (S/N 151,187 to 151,986 U.S.M.C. Model, S/N 185,801 to 186,201 U.S.M.C. Model, S/N 209,587 to 210,386 U.S.M.C.
The NM prefix Loaded's (as well as the TRP and Trophy Match) have the magwell and most of the internal cuts done, but no rail cuts. The final CNC machining on NM prefixes is done in Illinois. This information was from this. The rest of the 1911 prefixes such as LW, TGO-2, TGO-3 and EMP all come from Springfield's Illinois facility, though I have seen Champion LW's marked 'Brazil'. The Custom Shop gun prefixes such as CRG, FBI, DEA, and TGO-1, as well as any other Custom Shop marked gun, are also made in Illinois. According to Springfield, the Custom Shop marked guns are built using 'National Match' frames. Springfield uses the prefixes of 'N' and 'NM' to designate 1911-A1 type pistols, just as we used 'AM' as the prefix for the P9 series of pistols. The only pistols which use the national match frames are the complete custom pistols built through our custom shop. These pistols have 'Springfield Custom' etched on the slide, and will have the 'NM' prefix to the serial number.