'From The Ordnance Department': The NRA Model of 1911

by
posted on May 4, 2021
nra1911.jpg

"Life members of the National Rifle Association and individual members of its affiliated rifle clubs may purchase from the Ordnance Department the new Army Model .45 Colt Automatic Pistol. Owing to the necessity of first equipping the regular troops in the National Guard only one hundred of the pistols are available at this time. ... [T]hose who desire to secure one of the new pistols may do so by forwarding their application, as provided by law, through the governor of the state and a remittance of $13.50.”

Those words are from the Aug. 8, 1912, Arms & The Man. Qualified NRA Life members were allowed to purchase M1911s directly from the Director of Civilian Marksmanship, although the price rose to $16.04. These guns bore full military markings, but they had “N.R.A.” stamped on their frames to show they were not stolen government property.

This gun, No. 107419, was made by Springfield Armory in late 1914 and purchased by NRA Life member James O. Adams. It is on display at NRA’s National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, Va., and you can learn more by going to nramuseum.org.

In the years leading up to the United States' entry into World War I, NRA members were eligible to purchase a number of arms through the ordnance department. Model of 1903 Springfield rifles were available and were stamped "N.R.A." as well to avoid confusion with government-issue rifles.

Surplus stocks of military arms were also available for purchase through the ordnance department, including Krag-Jorgensen rifles and Trapdoor Springfields. Civilian shooters could also purchase ammunition, spare parts and accessories at the time, too.

Latest

Mossberg 590R New Shotguns For 2025
Mossberg 590R New Shotguns For 2025

New Shotguns For 2025

The firearms industry has presented several new shotguns for 2025, some comprised of partnership products and redesigns that offer-up performance updates to already existing designs, while others are completely new.

Functional Upgrades & Enhancements For The Beretta 1301 Tactical

For the better part of a decade, the Beretta 1301 Tactical shotgun has enjoyed immense popularity and success amongst serious tactical shotgun shooters. Here are a few upgrades to make an already-great shotgun even better.

Smith & Wesson Collectors Set Auction Benefits NRA Foundation

The exclusive Smith & Wesson Collector’s 1854 Rifle and Model 29 Revolver Set auctioned during The NRA Foundation banquet at the Georgia World Congress Center on April 25 sold for $25,000.

Rifleman Review: Taurus 605 Executive Grade

Taurus enhanced its popular 605 revolver with Executive Grade touches recently, and this carry-ready, controllable, .357 Magnum-chambered revolver is now nicer than it has ever been.

New For 2025: SDS Imports MAC IX

Based largely on the MP5, the SDS Imports MAC IX incorporates several familiar feature from the AR-15, too, into a large-format handgun chambered for the 9 mm Luger cartridge.

Review: U.S. Arms Co. M4 UTAW

U.S. Arms Co.’s origins can be traced back to 2016 with research-and-development efforts for military contracts, and the company came to market in 2019 with its M-905 Talon muzzle brake as a result.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.