SPRINGFIELD ARMORY NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

SPRINGFIELD, USA

The Springfield Armory was the first centre of military firearms manufacturing in the United States, and a primary source of small arms during operations from 1777 through the American Revolution until its closure in 1968, nearly 200 years later. Today, an expansive museum is located in the three-story main arsenal building at Springfield Armory National Historic Site and includes the largest collection of US military firearms in the world. The museum is easily accessible and located on the first floor, while offices of the National Park Service and firearms storage occupy the second and third floors. Visitors stroll through galleries associated with various aspects of weapons manufacture and view displays featuring muskets, rifles, pistols, and automatic weapons that date from the mid18th century through the closing of the armoury. Exhibits describing the iconic Springfield Model 1903 bolt-action rifle and the development of the World War Ii-era M1 Garand are of particular interest. Video and animation complement a number of the exhibits.

Springfield Armory National Historic Site is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9.30am to 4pm; closed Monday, Tuesday and holidays.

A Springfield Armory rack of muskets, called an organ in reference to a Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem, contains 641 Model 1861 rifles with capacity for 1,100