Now all the national armories in a few contractors made new muskets. One was Springfield and the other was Harper’s Ferry in Virginia. Congress authorized President Washington to create up to four manufacturing facilities, government run musket factories, and he selected two places. Springfield Arsenal was the place that got them into a fighting condition, and out to places like Saratoga and fighting in upstate New York.īy 1794 those muskets weren’t doing so well. They rolled paper cartridges, the bulk of French muskets coming in, in support, we’re to put it kindly, not in the best shape. Once a British got kicked out of Boston, and General Washington and Henry Knox decided that spot in Springfield, Massachusetts out west was a great spot to concentrate military supplies, do a little repair work. The story at Springfield Armory really starts during the Revolution. I’m going to start with a little history, and hopefully don’t lose much of my time before I get to the Civil War. And that’s part of the challenge as we work to preserve the collections and provide public access to it.

There’s a lot of distinct history there and it’s all reflected in the museum collection and happy to talk to you about it today.Īnd much of that history actually is well before those rifles ever made it into a soldier’s hands. And indeed, I mean, you see a good chunk of the soldiers who are invading Normandy 75 years ago today were carrying rifles stamped, Springfield Armory. I mean I saw the soldiers that have a plane shooting up at the Japanese Zeros or the Japanese planes rather with a Springfield bolt actions, and see them trading at Camp Laguna and Camp Adair with Springfield rifles.

Making connections with other collections, other stories is something I like to do and I couldn’t help it. I love talking about it and I love seeing connections. I’ve been there for half of my life now, literally. I’m grateful to be here and talk about Springfield Armory. Alexander MacKenzie: Thanks very much for having me.

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