The Springfield Armory Serial No. 0001 Chris Kyle 1911 Legend Series TRP Pistol sold for $22,500 during a live auction at the Springfield Armory booth at 2016 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits Sat., May 21, in Louisville, Ky. 
In addition to the live bidding, Gunbroker.com accepted online bids from May 1 through 3 p.m., May 21. Ultimately, it was an NRA member in attendance who submitted a winning high bid, forcing his closest competitor, who was not present, to drop out. “I’m going to take this home and tuck it in my safe with all my other Springfields,” the high bidder told the crowd. Today’s bidding started at $18,014—the last online bid submitted before the live auction began. 
Springfield Armory CEO Dennis Reese (far left) with
winning bidders and Taya Kyle (holding presentation case).
All proceeds of the auction go to benefit the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation, which supports members and families of those who serve. Chris’ wife, Taya Kyle, who founded and leads the foundation, said, “The mission of the foundation is to honor God, country and family by serving those who serve. To us, that represents the marriages and family life of our law enforcement, EMS, and military communities.” Taya Kyle was on hand with Springfield Armory CEO Dennis Reese to present the pistol in its mahogany presentation case to the winner.
The good news is that even though Serial No. 1 has now been spoken for, the Limited Edition Chris Kyle TRP pistols are now shipping to dealers around the country, with a portion of the sale of each gun also going to support the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation.
The Legend Series pistols feature 5” stainless steel match grade barrels, low-profile three-dot Tritium combat sights, and black and gray G10 grips with an attractive American flag engraving. The slides are forged carbon steel with Black Nitride treatment for durability and corrosion resistance. A National Match full-length guide rod rounds out the 8.6-inch long government model 1911. Each pistol ships with two seven-round stainless steel magazines with slam pads.MSRP on the pistol is $2,499.
Prior to the Gunbroker.com auction, Reese said Springfield Armory was pleased to support Taya and the Frog Foundation, as when on deployment, Chris Kyle carried a Springfield Armory 1911 TRP Operator pistol. “We felt it appropriate to make this special edition pistol to honor his memory and support the ongoing work of the foundation. Very much like American hero Chris Kyle, this pistol is truly one of a kind.”
In his book, American Sniper, Chris Kyle wrote, “In 2004, I brought over a Springfield [Armory] TRP Operator, which used a .45 caliber round. It had a 1911 body style, with custom grips and a rail system that let me add a light and laser combo. Black, it had a bull barrel and was an excellent gun—until it took a frag for me in Fallujah. I was actually able to get it repaired—those Springfields are tough.”
Learn more about the pistol here. For more on Springfield Armory, please visit springfield-armory.com.
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